The maximal rate of fall in right ventricular pressure (negative dp/dt) was evaluated in 34 patients. Eight had normal pulmonary arterial pressure. Seventeen had pulmonary arterial hypertension, and nine had pulmonary arterial hypertension with right ventricular failure. The right ventricular maximal negative dp/dt in patients with normal pulmonary arterial pressure was 170 +/- 20 mm Hg/sec. In...
