FIGURE 2. Effect of RV contractile reserve and exercise on cardiopulmonary hemodynamics.
Cohort divided into those with (n=20) and without (n=15) RV contractile reserve during exercise. * P<0.05 for significant change with exercise; # P<0.05 for significant group difference; † P<0.05 for group-exercise interaction term. Overall, both groups saw similar increases in pressures and flow. However, the RV reserve group preserved RV-PA coupling, RV volumes, and RVEF, while those without RV reserve saw acute RV dilation, reduction in stroke volume, and reduced RVEF. RV reserve therefore significantly influenced the effect of exercise on RV volume changes.