Background: Conventional echocardiographic parameters lack sensitivity for identifying pulmonary embolism (PE) patients.
Aim of the Study: This study aims to assess the diagnostic and prognostic value of right ventricular free wall strain (RV FWS) in PE.
Patients and Methods: This cross-sectional controlled study included 32 suspected PE patients who attended the outpatient clinic at Al-Azhar University. A control group of 30 healthy subjects without a history of cardiac or respiratory diseases was also enrolled. PE was confirmed by computed tomography pulmonary angiography (CTPA). Based on CTPA results, patients were classified into two groups: PE-negative patients (group I) and PE-positive patients (group II).
Results: There was no significant difference in clinical parameters between suspected PE patients with positive CT findings and those with negative findings. Contrary to conventional echo parameters, which showed no statistically significant difference between the PE-confirmed group, control group, and suspected patients with negative results, right ventricle longitudinal strain (RVLS) was significantly lower in the PE-confirmed group. All patients had a favorable prognostic outcome.
Conclusion: The use of RV FWS in identifying PE patients may have a significant impact on diagnostic accuracy, appropriateness of treatment, and quality of patient monitoring and follow-up.