Assessment of RV–PA Coupling in Advanced Heart Failure Using TAPSE×PAAT and Its Association With Functional Capacity

BACKGROUND: Right ventricular-pulmonary arterial (RV-PA) coupling plays a central role in determining functional capacity in advanced heart failure (HF). Although the TAPSE/PASP ratio is widely used as a noninvasive surrogate of RV-PA coupling, its applicability may be limited by the availability and quality of tricuspid regurgitation Doppler signals. Pulmonary artery acceleration time (PAAT) is a TR-independent marker of pulmonary vascular load, and the composite index TAPSE×PAAT has emerged as a potential alternative. METHODS: , AIC, and RMSE. RESULTS: values derived from both indices was high. CONCLUSION: In advanced HF, TAPSE×PAAT, and TAPSE/PASP showed comparable relationships with functional capacity, supporting TAPSE×PAAT as a complementary echocardiographic surrogate of RV-PA coupling, particularly in clinical settings where PASP estimation is limited.