Effect of hepatitis B virus infection on right and left ventricular functions

BACKGROUND: In this study we examined right and left ventricular systolic functions in hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients. MATERIAL/METHODS: The study included 50 HBsAg-positive patients (mean age; 33±13 years) and 50 other persons (mean age; 28±11 years) as a control group. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed in all the participants. Right and left ventricle systolic parameters were compared between these 2 groups. RESULTS: In the group of the patients with HBsAg positivity, the right ventricular fractional area change (RV FAC), tricuspid annular plane excursion (TAPSE) and RV myocardial systolic velocity (St) values were lower than in the control group (33±11 vs. 52±13%, p=0.001; 14.6±1.1 vs. 22.2±2.4 mm, p<0.001; 8.6±1.2 vs. 15.8±2.3 cm/s, p<0,001, respectively); the right atrium (RA) and RV diameters were higher than in controls (5.1±1.2 vs. 3.7±0.5 cm, p<0.001; 4.9±0.8 vs. 3.4±0.5 cm p<0.001, respectively); and systolic pulmonary artery pressure was higher than in control (39.3±9.5 vs. 22±8.4 mmHg, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The findings showed that HBV infection may be associated with right ventricular systolic dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension.