From the Guidelines
The tricuspid valve E/A ratio is typically considered normal when it ranges from 0.8 to 2.1, as indicated by general clinical guidelines and practices 1. This measurement is crucial for evaluating right ventricular diastolic function, which is essential for assessing conditions such as pulmonary hypertension, right ventricular hypertrophy, or right-sided heart failure. The E wave in the tricuspid valve E/A ratio corresponds to passive filling of the right ventricle during early diastole, while the A wave represents the additional filling that occurs during atrial contraction in late diastole. Key points to consider when interpreting the tricuspid E/A ratio include:
- Values below 0.8 may suggest impaired relaxation of the right ventricle
- Values above 2.1 could potentially indicate restrictive filling patterns
- The tricuspid E/A ratio should be interpreted alongside other echocardiographic parameters and clinical findings for a comprehensive evaluation of right heart function It is essential to consider the clinical context and other echocardiographic parameters when interpreting the tricuspid E/A ratio, as it is just one aspect of a comprehensive evaluation of right heart function 1.
From the Research
Tricuspid Valve E(to A) Ratio
The tricuspid valve E(to A) ratio represents the ratio of early diastolic filling velocity (E) to late diastolic filling velocity (A), also known as atrial contraction. This ratio is an important parameter in assessing right ventricular diastolic function.
Studies on Tricuspid Valve E(to A) Ratio
- A study published in 2015 2 found that a higher tricuspid valve E/A ratio was associated with increased exercise capacity in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
- Another study published in 2013 3 derived reference ranges for tricuspid E velocity, A velocity, E/A ratio, and other echocardiography parameters in a healthy Iranian population.
- However, the study published in 2013 4 found that the ratio of early diastolic tricuspid inflow to tricuspid lateral annular velocity (tricuspid E/e') reflects pulmonary regurgitation severity but not right ventricular diastolic function in children with repaired Tetralogy of Fallot.
Key Findings
- The tricuspid valve E/A ratio is an important parameter in assessing right ventricular diastolic function 2.
- Reference ranges for tricuspid E velocity, A velocity, E/A ratio, and other echocardiography parameters have been derived in healthy populations 3.
- The tricuspid E/e' ratio may reflect pulmonary regurgitation severity rather than right ventricular diastolic function in certain patient populations 4.