Effect of lung transplantation on right and left ventricular volumes and function measured by magnetic resonance imaging.

To evaluate the effect of lung transplantation on right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) volumes and function, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed in 11 patients before and 6 to 24 months after single (n = 7) or double (n = 4) lung transplantation as well as in 15 healthy control subjects. Prior to transplantation, RV end-diastolic (RVEDVI, ml/m2) and end-systolic (RVESVI, ml/m2) volume indices were significantly increased in patients compared with those in control subjects. RV ejection fraction (RVEF, %), although within the lower normal range, was significantly reduced. In contrast, LV volume indices (ml/m2) were significantly smaller in patients than in control subjects, whereas LV ejection fraction (LVEF, %) was not different from that in normal subjects. After lung transplantation, MRI revealed a significant reduction in RVEDVI from 73 +/- 29 to 54 +/- 14 (p = 0.03) and RVESVI from 38 +/- 23 to 20 +/- 6 (p = 0.01) with a concomitant significant increase in RVEF from 48 +/- 14 to 63 +/- 6 (p = 0.01). Consecutively, the LV expanded to normal (LVEDVI from 49 +/- 12 to 65 +/- 14, p = 0.01; LVESVI from 23 +/- 9 to 28 +/- 7, p = 0.05), whereas LVEF remained unchanged (55 +/- 9 versus 56 +/- 8).