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Usefulness of the second heart sound for predicting pulmonary hypertension in patients with interstitial lung disease

Utilidade da segunda bulha cardíaca na predição de hipertensão pulmonar em portadores de doenças intersticiais pulmonares

CONTEXT AND OBJECTIVE:

P2 hyperphonesis is considered to be a valuable finding in semiological diagnoses of pulmonary hypertension (PH). The aim here was to evaluate the accuracy of the pulmonary component of second heart sounds for predicting PH in patients with interstitial lung disease.

DESIGN AND SETTING:

Cross-sectional study at the University of Brasilia and Hospital de Base do Distrito Federal.

METHODS:

Heart sounds were acquired using an electronic stethoscope and were analyzed using phonocardiography. Clinical signs suggestive of PH, such as second heart sound (S2) in pulmonary area louder than in aortic area; P2 > A2 in pulmonary area and P2 present in mitral area, were compared with Doppler echocardiographic parameters suggestive of PH. Sensitivity (S), specificity (Sp) and positive (LR+) and negative (LR-) likelihood ratios were evaluated.

RESULTS:

There was no significant correlation between S2 or P2 amplitude and PASP (pulmonary artery systolic pressure) (P = 0.185 and 0.115; P= 0.13 and 0.34, respectively). Higher S2 in pulmonary area than in aortic area, compared with all the criteria suggestive of PH, showed S = 60%, Sp= 22%; LR+ = 0.7; LR- = 1.7; while P2> A2 showed S= 57%, Sp = 39%; LR+ = 0.9; LR- = 1.1; and P2 in mitral area showed: S= 68%, Sp = 41%; LR+ = 1.1; LR- = 0.7. All these signals together showed: S= 50%, Sp = 56%.

CONCLUSIONS:

The semiological signs indicative of PH presented low sensitivity and specificity levels for clinically diagnosing this comorbidity.

Hypertension, pulmonary; Lung diseases, interstitial; Heart auscultation; Echocardiography; Phonocardiography


RESUMO

CONTEXTO E OBJETIVO:

Hiperfonese de P2 tem sido considerada como achado valoroso no diagnóstico semiológico de hipertensão pulmonar (HP). O objetivo foi de avaliar a acurácia do componente pulmonar da segunda bulha cardíaca em predizer HP nos pacientes portadores de doenças intersticiais pulmonares.

TIPO DE ESTUDO E LOCAL:

Estudo transversal na Universidade de Brasília e Hospital de Base do Distrito Federal.

MÉTODOS:

Os sons cardíacos foram adquiridos com estetoscópio eletrônico e analisados por fonocardiografia. Os sinais clínicos sugestivos de HP, como B2 mais intensamente audível em área pulmonar que aórtica, P2 > A2 na área pulmonar e P2 presente em área mitral foram confrontados com parâmetros cardiográficos no exame de Doppler sugestivos de HP. Sensibilidade (S), especificidade (E), razões de verossimilhança positiva (RV+) e negativa (RV-) foram avaliados.

RESULTADOS:

Não houve correlação significativa entre amplitude de B2 e P2 e a PSAP (pressão sistólica arterial pulmonar) (P = 0,185 e 0,115; P = 0,13 e 0,34; respectivamente). A análise da presença de B2 mais intensa na área pulmonar que aórtica, quando comparada a todos os critérios sugestivos de HP, mostrou S = 60%; E = 22%; RV+ = 0,7; RV- = 1,7; enquanto P2 > A2 mostrou: S = 57%; E = 39%; RV+ = 0,9; RV- = 1,1; e P2 no foco mitral mostrou: S = 68%; E = 41%; RV+ = 1,1; RV- = 0,7. Todos os sinais juntos mostraram S = 50%; E = 56%.

CONCLUSÃO:

Os sinais semiológicos indicativos de HP apresentam baixos valores de especificidade e sensibilidade para diagnóstico clínico dessa comorbidade.

Hipertensão pulmonar; Doenças pulmonares intersticiais; Auscultação cardíaca; Ecocardiografia; Fonocardiografia

INTRODUCTION

Interstitial lung diseases are a heterogeneous group of disorders that affect the lung parenchyma. However, despite their differences, they all share chronic evolution associated with functional and structural deterioration of the pulmonary parenchyma.11. Ryu JH, Daniels CE, Hartman TE, Yi ES. Diagnosis of interstitial lung diseases. Mayo Clin Proc. 2007;82(8):976-86. This process is often also accompanied by pulmonary hypertension (PH), caused either by hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction or direct vascular impairment of vascular function, such as occurs in sarcoidosis.22. Leslie KO. Pathology of interstitial lung disease. Clin Chest Med. 2004;25(4):657-703, vi. The presence of PH is a predictor of mortality.33. Behr J, Ryu JH. Pulmonary hypertension in interstitial lung disease. Eur Respir J. 2008;31(6):1357-67.

Detecting the presence of PH is important because this disorder is a determining factor for various therapeutic measures, among them lung transplantation.33. Behr J, Ryu JH. Pulmonary hypertension in interstitial lung disease. Eur Respir J. 2008;31(6):1357-67. Moreover, a finding of PH may signal inapparent hypoxemia, such as occurs repeatedly during sleep or upon physical effort. Therefore, prompt and easy identification of factors that can provide additional information about the evolution of the disease is extremely important. In 1970, Harris44. Harris A. The second heart sound in health and in pulmonary hypertension. Am Heart J. 1970;79(2):145-8. considered that both the intensity of the second heart sound (S2) and its behavior during breathing deserved attention during routine auscultation. A change in its characteristics could be an early clinical sign of PH.55. Fowler NO, Noble WJ, Giarratano SJ, Mannix EP. The clinical estimation of pulmonary hypertension accompanying mitral stenosis. Am Hear J. 1955;49(2):237-49.

In this scenario, splitting of S2 mainly occurs because of delays in the pulmonary component (P2), although there is a slight advance of the aortic component (A2). This occurs even during expiration, with a delay of 0.02 to 0.03 seconds, and 0.02 in only 2% of the population, especially in children and young adults.66. Harris A, Sutton G. Second heart sound in normal subjects. Br Heart J. 1968;30(6):739-42.

Hyperphonesis of P2 has traditionally been acknowledged in all semiology books as indicative of PH. However, there is little evidence to support this. It is defined as more accentuated presence of S2 in the pulmonic area than in the aortic area55. Fowler NO, Noble WJ, Giarratano SJ, Mannix EP. The clinical estimation of pulmonary hypertension accompanying mitral stenosis. Am Hear J. 1955;49(2):237-49. or, more specifically, as P2 > A2 in the pulmonic area. It shows highly variable sensitivity (S) (96% to 58%) and specificity (Sp) (46% to 19%).55. Fowler NO, Noble WJ, Giarratano SJ, Mannix EP. The clinical estimation of pulmonary hypertension accompanying mitral stenosis. Am Hear J. 1955;49(2):237-49. 77. Whitaker W. Clinical diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension in patients with mitral stenosis. Quarterly Journal of Medicine. 1954;23(89):105-12. Available from: Available from: http://qjmed.oxfordjournals.org/content/23/1/105 . Accessed in 2015 (Sep 15).
http://qjmed.oxfordjournals.org/content/...

In fact, it is not uncommon for a semiological tradition to be established based on pathophysiological deductions, without proper clinical validation of the finding, including its perceived variability, which has a direct relationship with the credibility and routine application of this knowledge on a daily basis. For instance, the reliability of cardiac auscultation findings is rarely evaluated. Regardless of these issues, hyperphonesis of P2 is still included in the guidelines for PH as an indicator of this condition.88. Task Force for Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension of European Society of Cardiology (ESC); European Respiratory Society (ERS); International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT),et al. Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension. Eur Respir J. 2009;34(6):1219-63.

If, on the one hand, the benefits arising from a useful clinical finding, as a means for diagnosis that is doubly accessible in terms of both cost and speed of recognition, are enormous; on the other hand, acceptance of unproven validity can be harmful to the same extent. Therefore, it is increasingly important to determine the accuracy and real reliability of these clinical findings.

OBJECTIVE

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the pulmonary component of S2 as a predictor of PH in patients with interstitial lung diseases. We also attempt to determine the pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) value at which the pulmonary component of S2 would be a more useful predictor of PH.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study from March to November 2011, in which 69 patients with various interstitial lung diseases seen in the outpatient care of a tertiary-level hospital were consecutively examined. This number was defined a priori , assuming an effect size of 0.4 w for the outcome, which represents a moderate to great effect, in addition to 80% power and an α value of 5%.99. Faul F, Erdfelder E, Lang AG, Buchner A. G*Power 3: a flexible statistical power analysis program for the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences. Behav Res Methods. 2007;39(2):175-91. The study protocol was approved by our institution's ethics committee and all the participating subjects signed an informed consent form.

Each participating patient underwent cardiac auscultation in a quiet environment, in the supine position, with spontaneous breathing. The sounds were recorded using a 3MM Littmann electronic stethoscope, model 3200 (St. Paul, MN, USA) for further analysis. Next, the patient underwent color Doppler echocardiography carried out by a single examiner who was unaware of any of the clinical data. Electrocardiographic monitoring was done during the test.

We evaluated 69 patients aged between 21 and 86 years, with a mean age of 58 ± 16.6 years. Twenty-eight subjects (40.6%) were male and 41 (59.4%), female. Regarding the distribution of diseases, 15 patients (21.7%) had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, 22 (32%) had idiopathic interstitial diseases, 11 (16%) had interstitial lung disease associated with collagen-vascular disease, nine (13%) had sarcoidosis, seven (10.1%) had chronic hypersensitivity pneumonia and five (7.2%) presented other diffuse interstitial lung diseases.

Phonocardiogram

Phonocardiograms corresponding to heart sounds obtained by means of an electronic stethoscope were recorded in the aortic, pulmonic, mitral and tricuspid areas. The recording was done during spontaneous and continuous breathing.

The pulse tracings were transformed into signals by means of the Zargis Cardioscan heart sound analysis software (Princeton, NJ, USA) and were adjusted for reading in accordance with the same measurement scale. The amplitude of S2 was measured (with or without splitting) and the amplitude of its P2 component was measured separately; both measurements were obtained in the pulmonic area.

The parameters subsequently evaluated were the relative intensities of A2 and P2 in the pulmonic area; occurrences of P2 of greater amplitude than A2 (P2 > A2); P2 in the mitral area; absence of splitting of S2; and, finally, simultaneous occurrence of all the parameters.

The analyses were performed by three independent examiners. They took into consideration the sounds, the pulse tracings and the additional features of the software, which made it possible to view the spectrums of the phonographic wave forms, among other things. Decisions were then based on the consensus reached among the examiners.

Phonocardiogram results were also compared with PASP measurements by means of Doppler echocardiography, using Doppler and additional criteria for diagnosing PH, as described below.

Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography

For transthoracic Doppler echocardiography evaluations, the patients were examined in the left lateral decubitus position, using standard echocardiographic projections. We used an ultrasound machine (model Vivid S5, General Electric. Milwaukee, WI, USA) with a multifrequency transducer and a frequency range from 2.5 to 3.5 MHz.

Measurements of variables relating to the heart chambers and ventricular function were obtained as established by the American Society of Echocardiography.1010. Lang RM, Bierig M, Devereux RB, et al. Recommendations for chamber quantification: a report from the American Society of Echocardiography's Guidelines and Standards Committee and the Chamber Quantification Writing Group, developed in conjunction with the European Association of Echocardiography, a branch of the European Society of Cardiology. J Am Soc Echocardiogr. 2005;18(12):1440-63.

Doppler analyses were performed in real time. Doppler color flow mapping in multiple views was used in order to more accurately measure tricuspid regurgitation. We used continuous wave Doppler ultrasound at a sweep speed of 50-100 mm/sec. Three to five measurements per pulse tracing were taken.

To calculate PASP by measuring tricuspid regurgitation, we used the modified Bernoulli equation. We then obtained the pressure gradient between the right ventricle (RV) and right atrium (RA). The estimated right atrial pressure was added to this parameter,1111. Berger M, Haimowitz A, Van Tosh A, Berdoff RL, Goldberg E. Quantitative assessment of pulmonary hypertension in patients with tricuspid regurgitation using continuous wave Doppler ultrasound. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1985;6(2):359-65. 1212. Fisher MR, Forfia PR, Chamera E, et al. Accuracy of Doppler echocardiography in the hemodynamic assessment of pulmonary hypertension. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2009;179(7):615-21. given that there was no right ventricular outflow tract obstruction.

Right atrial pressure was obtained by assessing the percentage collapse and the diameter of the inferior vena cava during spontaneous breathing. If the inspiratory collapse was greater than 50% and the diameter was less than 2.1 cm, the pressure added was 5 mmHg; if the inspiratory collapse was less than 50% and the diameter was greater than 2.1 cm, the pressure added was 10 mmHg; in patients where the inferior vena cava plethora was markedly greater than 2.1 cm and collapse was less than 50%, the pressure added was 20 mmHg.1313. Ommen SR, Nishimura RA, Hurrell DG, Klarich KW. Assessment of right atrial pressure with 2-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography: a simultaneous catheterization and echocardiographic study. Mayo Clin Proc. 2000;75(1):24-9. 1414. Currie PJ, Seward JB, Chan KL, et al. Continuous wave Doppler determination of right ventricular pressure: a simultaneous Doppler-catheterization study in 127 patients. J Am Coll Cardiol 1985;6(4):750-6. 1515. Rudski LG, Lai WW, Afilalo J, et al. Guidelines for the echocardiographic assessment of the right heart in adults: a report from the American Society of Echocardiography endorsed by the European Association of Echocardiography, a registered branch of the European Society of Cardiology, and the Canadian Society of Echocardiography. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2010;23(7):685-713; quiz 786-8.

Pulmonary hypertension criteria

Pulmonary hypertension was considered "probable" when PASP was greater than 50 mmHg.1515. Rudski LG, Lai WW, Afilalo J, et al. Guidelines for the echocardiographic assessment of the right heart in adults: a report from the American Society of Echocardiography endorsed by the European Association of Echocardiography, a registered branch of the European Society of Cardiology, and the Canadian Society of Echocardiography. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2010;23(7):685-713; quiz 786-8. 1616. Simonneau G, Galiè N, Rubin LJ, et al. Clinical classification of pulmonary hypertension. J Am Coll Cardiol 2004;43(12 Suppl S):5S-12S. It was considered "possible" when PASP fluctuated between 37 and 50 mmHg, or when it was below 37 mmHg and accompanied by additional echocardiographic variables of PH, including the existence of dilation and/or hypertrophy of the right chambers, paradoxical movement of the interventricular septum or right ventricular dysfunction (analyzed in accordance with the recommendations of the American Society of Echocardiography for evaluating the right chambers).1515. Rudski LG, Lai WW, Afilalo J, et al. Guidelines for the echocardiographic assessment of the right heart in adults: a report from the American Society of Echocardiography endorsed by the European Association of Echocardiography, a registered branch of the European Society of Cardiology, and the Canadian Society of Echocardiography. J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2010;23(7):685-713; quiz 786-8.

Data analysis

Continuous variables were described as the mean plus or minus standard deviation, along with the amplitude. Categorical variables were expressed as percentages. We conducted analyses on the correlations of the amplitudes of S2 and P2 in relation to PASP with the aim of assessing the influence of one variable on another. Since these variables did not show normal distribution according to the Shapiro-Wilk test, the Spearman correlation coefficient was used.

A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve with its components of sensitivity (S), specificity (Sp) and positive (LR+) and negative (LR-) likelihood ratios was constructed in order to determine the discriminatory power of each parameter studied. The area under the curve was expressed in terms of the 95% confidence interval (95% CI).

The findings were considered statistically significant when the probability P for two-tailed tests was P < 0.05. The data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software version 20 and Excel, both for the Mac OS X operating system.

RESULTS

The prevalence of PH in the sample, when all the echocardiographic criteria were taken into consideration, was 73% in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, 41% in those with idiopathic diseases, 27% in those with collagen-vascular disease, 22% in those with sarcoidosis, 25% in those with chronic hypersensitivity pneumonia and 25% in those with other diffuse lung diseases. In these patients, the forced vital capacity (FVC) showed a mean of 67 ± 22.7%, with a minimum value of 18% and maximum of 110%. Hemoglobin oxygen saturation (SpO2) in ambient air showed a mean of 93.4 ± 4.8% and a minimum value of 70% and maximum of 99%.

PASP estimated by means of Doppler echocardiography (which was feasible in all tests) was normal in 41 patients (59.4%), while 17 (24.7%) had additional echocardiographic criteria that, together with PASP, were suggestive of PH (possible PH). In 11 patients (15.9%), the PASP values measured by means of Doppler indicated PH (probable PH). Therefore, the combination of all the criteria measured through the examination led us to observe PH in 28 patients (40.6%).

Table 1 shows the frequencies of the clinical findings studied. For each analysis of S and Sp, we observed low values for all phonocardiographic parameters, in comparison with Doppler echocardiographic criteria, as shown in Tables 2 and 3.

Table 1:
Frequencies of clinical fidings surveyed
Table 2:
Comparison between clinical fidings predictive of pulmonary hypertension (probable)
Table 3:
Comparison between clinical fidings predictive of pulmonary hypertension (possible and probable)

From observing the behavior of the maximum amplitude of S2 on phonocardiography (with or without splitting) and the amplitude of P2, in relation to the variation of PASP, we obtained a weak and not statistically significant correlation. The correlation index ρ was 0.185 for S2 (P = 0.13) and 0.115 for P2 (P = 0.34).

In assessing the ROC curve, the best cutoff point for PASP was defined as 53 mmHg. At this pressure, simultaneous presence of the three clinical signs studied showed LR+ = 2.32 and LR- = 0.88. The area under the curve was 0.518 (95% CI: 0.376 to 0.659; P = 0.80). This value was very close to the limit set for probable PH. Considering the pretest probability to be the prevalence of PH above 53 mmHg within the sample studied (which was 13%), the post-test probability would increase to 26%. For each clinical sign isolated, there were no points on the curve that yielded LR+ greater than 2 or LR- less than 0.5.

DISCUSSION

This study included patients with several types of interstitial lung diseases, with different FVC values and degrees of hypoxemia at the time of evaluation. We observed a range of situations: normal PASP values, mild degrees of PH and also markedly elevated levels of the disease, which constituted the later stages of this comorbidity.

The prevalence of PH in these diseases varies widely according to the diagnosis and pulmonary involvement. It is also a predictor of morbidity and mortality.1717. Olschewski H, Ghofrani HA, Walmrath D, et al. ENT#091;Inhaled prostacyclin and iloprost in severe pulmonary hypertension secondary to pulmonary fibrosisENT#093;. Pneumologie. 2000;54(3):133-42. 1818. King TE Jr, Tooze JA, Schwarz MI, Brown KR, Cherniack RM. Predicting survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: scoring system and survival model. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2001;164(7):1171-81. 1919. Lee P, Langevitz P, Alderdice CA, et al. Mortality in systemic sclerosis (scleroderma). Q J Med. 1992;82(298):139-48.

Doppler echocardiography has been used in other clinical studies to trace PH, in which the prevalence of this disorder was between 5.7% and 73.8% when pulmonary involvement was due to sarcoidosis.2020. Handa T, Nagai S, Miki S, et al. Incidence of pulmonary hypertension and its clinical relevance in patients with sarcoidosis. Chest. 2006;129(5):1246-52. In interstitial diseases relating to collagenosis, especially scleroderma, the prevalence of PH was around 18.1%.2121. Chang B, Wigley FM, White B, Wise RA. Scleroderma patients with combined pulmonary hypertension and interstitial lung disease. J Rheumatol. 2003;30(11):2398-405. In idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, these data are not yet well defined, with the possibility of reaching 84% in patients with advanced degrees of pulmonary involvement.2222. Nadrous HF, Pellikka PA, Krowka MJ, et al. Pulmonary hypertension in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Chest. 2005;128(4):2393-9. Other authors have also demonstrated its occurrence in one third of patients with IPF (interstitial pulmonary fibrosis).2323. Lettieri CJ, Nathan SD, Barnett SD, Ahmad S, Shorr AF. Prevalence and outcomes of pulmonary arterial hypertension in advanced idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. Chest. 2006;129(3):746-52. In the present study, the prevalence rates of PH were in agreement with the range of values previously reported.

Since the recognition of inspiratory splitting of the second heart sound by Potain2424. Potain C. Note sur les dédoublements normaux des bruits de coeur. Bull Mem Soc Méd Hop Paris. 1866;3:138. 100 years ago, numerous studies have tried to explain how these heart sound variations occur and whether these changes can be attributed to various disorders. Analyses have been conducted with the aim of comparing traditional phonocardiograms with intracardiac pressure measurements made through cardiac catheterization, in order to relate pressure values to semiological findings.

There are no studies comparing intracardiac pressure measurements obtained using Doppler echocardiography with digital phonocardiogram pulse tracings obtained using an electronic stethoscope, in which patients with interstitial lung disease were specifically targeted. However, the reasons that would lead to increased PASP and possible semiological changes would be similar to those found in other diseases.

The relative intensities of heart sounds are still an integral part of auscultation. In cases of PH, the explanation for findings that the pulmonary component of the second heart sound presents greater intensity than that of the aortic component is believed to be associated with hemodynamic concepts and factors relating to the anatomy of the pulmonary artery.2525. Sabbah HN, Stein PD. Investigation of the theory and mechanism of the origin of the second heart sound. Circ Res. 1976;39(6):874-82. However, there is still controversy about the exact mechanism of this phenomenon.

Earlier studies2525. Sabbah HN, Stein PD. Investigation of the theory and mechanism of the origin of the second heart sound. Circ Res. 1976;39(6):874-82. 2626. Stein PD, Sabbah HN, Anbe DT, Khaja F. Hemodynamic and anatomic determinants of relative differences in amplitude of the aortic and pulmonary components of the second heart sound. Am J Cardiol. 1978;42(4):539-44. 2727. Kusukawa R, Bruce DW, Sakamoto T, Mac Canon DM, Luisada AA. Hemodynamic determinants of the amplitude of the second heart sound. J Appl Physiol. 1966;21(3):938-46.indicated that the amplitude of the P2 component in PH may not differ significantly from that of A2. This would be explained by the fact that although the diastolic pressure gradient in the right ventricle is elevated in this condition, it would not exceed the gradient of the left chamber. In this regard, increased amplitude of the P2 component could only be expected in those few patients with PH in the later stages of the disease, in which the rate of increase of this gradient would be extremely high. Nevertheless, the analysis on this component did not show statistical significance.2525. Sabbah HN, Stein PD. Investigation of the theory and mechanism of the origin of the second heart sound. Circ Res. 1976;39(6):874-82.

One anatomical factor that could also contribute towards greater amplitude of P2 in cases of PH would be greater surface area of the pulmonary valve and higher pulmonary artery distensibility, which would produce intense vibration of the semilunar valves, in comparison with the aortic valve. The combination of these factors was significant.2626. Stein PD, Sabbah HN, Anbe DT, Khaja F. Hemodynamic and anatomic determinants of relative differences in amplitude of the aortic and pulmonary components of the second heart sound. Am J Cardiol. 1978;42(4):539-44. 2727. Kusukawa R, Bruce DW, Sakamoto T, Mac Canon DM, Luisada AA. Hemodynamic determinants of the amplitude of the second heart sound. J Appl Physiol. 1966;21(3):938-46. The data from our study were consistent with the facts previously described and also showed no relationship between higher amplitude of the P2 component measured by means of phonocardiography and elevated PASP levels measured by Doppler echocardiography.

The PASP values estimated by means of color Doppler echocardiography showed a good correlation with invasive measurements (r = 0.92). The S and Sp values for predicting PH ranged from 79 to 100% for S and from 60 to 98% for Sp, in a study showing high prevalence of PH.2828. McGoon M, Gutterman D, Steen V, et al. Screening, early detection, and diagnosis of pulmonary arterial hypertension: ACCP evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. Chest. 2004;126(1 Suppl):14S-34S.

Through evaluating the presence of clinical findings suggestive of PH and comparing the data with measurements of PASP by means of Doppler echocardiography, we noted that our values for S and Sp and the ratios for LR+ and LR- were of low clinical relevance, even when the pulmonary pressure levels were high. The findings from clinical studies that did not report any relationship between the relative intensities of the components of S2 found through phonocardiography and measurements of pulmonary pressure through catheterization2929. Sutton G, Harris A, Leatham A. Second heart sound in pulmonary hypertension. Br Heart J 1968;30(6):743-56. are in agreement with these data. Other clinical findings such as P2 with higher amplitude than A2 and the presence of P2 in the mitral area were also compared in other studies in which pressure measurements were made by means of catheterization. There was no relationship between elevated measurements and the existence of these signs. In this context, the S and Sp values for high-amplitude P2 components were respectively 58-96% and 19-46%, thus demonstrating a wide variation.55. Fowler NO, Noble WJ, Giarratano SJ, Mannix EP. The clinical estimation of pulmonary hypertension accompanying mitral stenosis. Am Hear J. 1955;49(2):237-49. 77. Whitaker W. Clinical diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension in patients with mitral stenosis. Quarterly Journal of Medicine. 1954;23(89):105-12. Available from: Available from: http://qjmed.oxfordjournals.org/content/23/1/105 . Accessed in 2015 (Sep 15).
http://qjmed.oxfordjournals.org/content/...

So far, the results from rigorous analysis on the S and Sp of semiological findings predictive of PH that were associated with the second heart sound have not been conclusive. However, our results showed that the discriminatory power of each of the clinical parameters evaluated was not very important for the diagnostic suspicion of PH "at the bedside".

It should be noted that even the data from the NIH registry, which was a relevant prospective study, refer to the existence of an accentuated pulmonary component of the second heart sound, seen on clinical examination in more than 90% of the patients with PH, irrespective of its cause.3030. D'Alonzo GE, Barst RJ, Ayres SM, et al Survival in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension. Results from a national prospective registry. Ann Intern Med. 1991;115(5):343-9. However, the NIH study aimed to investigate factors associated with survival in this population. The only concern was to report the clinical findings, without determining the S and Sp of these semiological findings.

Thus, considering a context in which the prevalence of PH is high, findings of physical signs with high Sp would increase the likelihood of the disease post-test. Absence of signs showing high S would practically dismiss this possibility, and this would be useful for tracing. Our data demonstrated that these signs do not have the capacity to confirm the presence or absence of the disease. Other methods such as Doppler echocardiography are required in order to diagnose this complication.

CONCLUSIONS

Therefore, we can conclude that, in the context of symptomatic evaluation for predicting PH in patients with interstitial diseases, clinical signs are not useful. Their pathophysiological concepts would only be useful for academic thinking. These signs cannot take on the function of reaching a diagnosis.

REFERENCES

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  • 3. Behr J, Ryu JH. Pulmonary hypertension in interstitial lung disease. Eur Respir J. 2008;31(6):1357-67.
  • 4. Harris A. The second heart sound in health and in pulmonary hypertension. Am Heart J. 1970;79(2):145-8.
  • 5. Fowler NO, Noble WJ, Giarratano SJ, Mannix EP. The clinical estimation of pulmonary hypertension accompanying mitral stenosis. Am Hear J. 1955;49(2):237-49.
  • 6. Harris A, Sutton G. Second heart sound in normal subjects. Br Heart J. 1968;30(6):739-42.
  • 7. Whitaker W. Clinical diagnosis of pulmonary hypertension in patients with mitral stenosis. Quarterly Journal of Medicine. 1954;23(89):105-12. Available from: Available from: http://qjmed.oxfordjournals.org/content/23/1/105 Accessed in 2015 (Sep 15).
    » http://qjmed.oxfordjournals.org/content/23/1/105
  • 8. Task Force for Diagnosis and Treatment of Pulmonary Hypertension of European Society of Cardiology (ESC); European Respiratory Society (ERS); International Society of Heart and Lung Transplantation (ISHLT),et al. Guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary hypertension. Eur Respir J. 2009;34(6):1219-63.
  • 9. Faul F, Erdfelder E, Lang AG, Buchner A. G*Power 3: a flexible statistical power analysis program for the social, behavioral, and biomedical sciences. Behav Res Methods. 2007;39(2):175-91.
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  • 11. Berger M, Haimowitz A, Van Tosh A, Berdoff RL, Goldberg E. Quantitative assessment of pulmonary hypertension in patients with tricuspid regurgitation using continuous wave Doppler ultrasound. J Am Coll Cardiol. 1985;6(2):359-65.
  • 12. Fisher MR, Forfia PR, Chamera E, et al. Accuracy of Doppler echocardiography in the hemodynamic assessment of pulmonary hypertension. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2009;179(7):615-21.
  • 13. Ommen SR, Nishimura RA, Hurrell DG, Klarich KW. Assessment of right atrial pressure with 2-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography: a simultaneous catheterization and echocardiographic study. Mayo Clin Proc. 2000;75(1):24-9.
  • 14. Currie PJ, Seward JB, Chan KL, et al. Continuous wave Doppler determination of right ventricular pressure: a simultaneous Doppler-catheterization study in 127 patients. J Am Coll Cardiol 1985;6(4):750-6.
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  • 16. Simonneau G, Galiè N, Rubin LJ, et al. Clinical classification of pulmonary hypertension. J Am Coll Cardiol 2004;43(12 Suppl S):5S-12S.
  • 17. Olschewski H, Ghofrani HA, Walmrath D, et al. ENT#091;Inhaled prostacyclin and iloprost in severe pulmonary hypertension secondary to pulmonary fibrosisENT#093;. Pneumologie. 2000;54(3):133-42.
  • 18. King TE Jr, Tooze JA, Schwarz MI, Brown KR, Cherniack RM. Predicting survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: scoring system and survival model. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2001;164(7):1171-81.
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  • 1
    Universidade de Brasília (UnB), Brasília, Distrito Federal, Brazil
  • Sources of funding: None

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    19 Jan 2016
  • Date of issue
    Jan-Feb 2016

History

  • Received
    07 June 2015
  • Accepted
    12 July 2015
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