Effect of Blood Donation Mediated Volume Reduction on Right Ventricular Function Parameters in Healthy Subjects

Purpose: We aimed to investigate the effect of controlled and limited volume change by the blood donation model to the right ventricular (RV) function via different echocardiographic parameters in healthy adults. Methods: Study population was composed of 71 healthy subjects who were volunteers for blood donation and evaluated before and after 450 mL blood donation. Pulsed-wave Doppler of the RV inflow and tissue Doppler of tricuspid lateral annulus, and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) were assessed. Results: E velocity of inflow decreased significantly (67.6 +/- 15.9 vs 60.9 +/- 12.2, P = 0.006). S and A velocities did not change (15.3 +/- 3.2 vs 15.2 +/- 2.5 cm/s, P = NS; 14.1 +/- 3.3 vs 13.4 +/- 3.1 cm/s, P = NS, respectively) but E showed significant decrease (13.7 +/- 2.9 vs 12.2 +/- 3.2 cm/s, P = 0.011). E/A ratio and E/E ratio were found to be unchanged (1.0 +/- 0.3 vs 1.0 +/- 0.4, P = NS; 5.1 +/- 2 vs 5.3 +/- 2, P = NS, respectively). Myocardial performance index (MPI) was found to be increased but ejection time obtained from the tricuspid annulus did not change (0.50 +/- 0.13 vs 0.54 +/- 0.11, P = 0.040; 243 +/- 37 vs 240 +/- 27, P = NS, respectively). Isovolumetric relaxation and contraction times showed difference close to the significance limit (56 +/- 19 vs 64 +/- 23 ms, P = 0.055; 61 +/- 16 vs 67 +/- 16 ms, P = 0.062, respectively). TAPSE decreased significantly (2.62 +/- 0.29 vs 2.41 +/- 0.27 mm, P = 0.005). Conclusion: E velocity and TAPSE were sensitive to a volume reduction as little as 450 mL in healthy subjects. MPI index of the tricuspid annulus is less sensitive than E and TAPSE but need much care under changing volume state. However S and A velocity and E/A ratio were found to be resistant to the effects of volume depletion. (Echocardiography 2012;29:451-454)