Objective: To evaluate the role of tissue Doppler echocardiogram and insulin like growth
factor binding protein type 2 in diagnosis and evaluation of severity of pediatric pulmonary
hypertension.
Methods: This cross-sectional case, control study included 80 children divide into two equal groups:
Group (A): patients with PHT diagnosed by Echocardiogram as mean pulmonary artery pressure more
than 25 mmHg (MPAP>25). Group (B): age and sex matched to healthy patients . Detailed clinical
assessments, tissue Doppler echocardiographic examinations, and IGFBP-2 measurements using
ELISA were conducted.
Results: There is RV dilataion and disfunction ( higher MPI ) more in cases group .
ROC analysis revealed a significant excellent AUC of 0.923 for IGFBP2 with a 95% CI = 0.862 – 0.984
(P < 0.001). The best cutoff point was >168 mgL, at which sensitivity and specificity were 95% and
77.5%, respectively for prediction of PH. IGFBP2 showed significant positive correlations with MPI of
RV (r = 0.619, P < 0.001).
Conclusion: PHT was associated with RV dilatation and dysfunction wither systolic, and diastolic
cmfirmed by high MPI of RV. IGFBP2 is an excellent predictor of PH which sensitivity and specificity
were 95% and 77.5%, respectively IGFBP2 is positively associated with severity of PH showed
significant positive correlations with conventional echocardiographic and tissue doppler parameters.