Given a tricuspid regurgitation (TR) velocity of 4.0 m/sec, what is the calculated right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP)?

To calculate the right ventricular systolic pressure (RVSP) from the tricuspid regurgitation (TR) velocity, a fundamental understanding of the relationship between these measurements is necessary. The TR velocity reflects the pressure gradient across the tricuspid valve during systole, which can inform us about the pressures in the right ventricle and pulmonary artery.

The formula used to calculate RVSP from the TR velocity is as follows:

RVSP = 4 × (TR velocity)^2 + Right Atrial Pressure (RAP).

Assuming a normal right atrial pressure of 0 mmHg (which is a common assumption when not specifically measured), you would plug the TR velocity of 4.0 m/sec into this formula:

RVSP = 4 × (4.0 m/sec)^2 + 0 mmHg

RVSP = 4 × 16 + 0

RVSP = 64 mmHg.

In typical echocardiographic practice, this value is rounded to the nearest ten units, leading to a calculated RVSP of approximately 60 mmHg. However, since RVSP does not generally fall directly in the rounding category, it's important to recognize that the context may adjust the right atrial pressure assumption.