Doppler evaluation of left and right ventricular diastolic function: a technical guide for obtaining optimal flow velocity recordings

Acute and chronic effects of oestradiol on left ventricular diastolic function in hypertensive postmenopausal women with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction

BACKGROUND

Left ventricular function changes in the postmenopausal state. However, there are conflicting reports about the effects of oestrogen on left ventricular diastolic function in postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the acute and chronic effects of oestradiol in physiological doses on diastolic heart function in hypertensive postmenopausal women with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.

METHODS

A prospective, randomised, double blind, placebo controlled study was used to evaluate the effects of oestradiol in 34 hypertensive women with left ventricular dysfunction. The acute effects of a single 1 mg oral dose of oestradiol or placebo were determined after 90 minutes. The chronic effects of 1 mg oestradiol orally/day or placebo were determined after 12 weeks. Diastolic functional indices (mitral flow and pulmonary venous flow) were assessed by Doppler echocardiography.

RESULTS

Though an appropriate serum concentration was achieved, no acute effect of oestradiol administration on left ventricular diastolic function was identified. After 12 weeks of treatment the following changes (mean (SD)) were identified in the oestradiol group: a decrease in isovolumic relaxation time from 127 (23) to 106 (16) ms (p < 0.001), and in the deceleration time of the mitral E wave from 260 (42) to 238 (20) ms (p < 0.05); and an increase in the E/A ratio from 0.8 (0.2) (basal) to 1.0 (0.2) after 12 weeks (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Hypertensive postmenopausal women who had hormone replacement therapy over a period of 12 weeks had significant improvement in left ventricular diastolic function. No changes were identified following acute administration.

Echocardiographic indices of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in 647 individuals with preserved left ventricular systolic function

BACKGROUND

Knowledge about the occurrence of isolated diastolic dysfunction (DD) in the general population is limited.

AIMS

This population study was performed to assess the frequency and distribution pattern of echocardiographic indices of left ventricular (LV) DD in an elderly population aged 50-89 years in which LV systolic function is preserved.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The study population (n=764) recruited from the background population answered a heart failure questionnaire and underwent echocardiography. Excluding subjects with a LV ejection fraction <50% or atrial fibrillation, diastolic function was evaluated in 647 subjects. The frequency of impaired relaxation according to earlier guidelines was 0.5%, vs. 2.5% using age- and gender-specific normal values of 'E/A-ratio' and 'deceleration time'. In a subpopulation of 167 participants, 6.6% had 'pseudonormalisation'. No difference was found in the frequency of dyspnea in subjects with impaired relaxation or 'pseudonormalisation' compared to subjects with normal filling pattern.

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of LV impaired relaxation was highly dependent on the choice of normal (cut-off) values for Doppler indices. Furthermore, our findings suggest that either isolated DD is often asymptomatic, or that Doppler flow derived parameters as a diagnostic method for assessing DD have a low specificity when used as a screening tool in the general population.

Timing of regional left ventricular lengthening by pulsed tissue Doppler

Pulsed tissue Doppler can measure myocardial velocities with high temporal resolution. Our aim was to determine the onset timing of the regional left ventricular longitudinal early lengthening (e) in relation to the mitral inflow (E) in acute coronary syndromes. We applied pulsed tissue Doppler to the septal, lateral, inferior, and anterior left ventricular basal walls of 160 patients with acute coronary syndromes and 60 control subjects. Maximum systolic and early diastolic velocities were lower for patient than for control walls (6.1 +/- 1.7 vs 7.9 +/- 1.4 cm/s, P <.0001, and 6.9 +/- 2.3 vs 10.0 +/- 2.3 cm/s, P <.0001, respectively) and e started later than E (12 +/- 30 vs 2 +/- 19 milliseconds later, P <.0001). All 3 variables related to the degree of visual left ventricular wall pathology. The intraindividual time range for all 4 e starts was wider for patients (43 +/- 27 vs 30 +/- 18 milliseconds, P <.0001). Our results show that pulsed tissue Doppler can identify a delayed and asynchronous initial wall lengthening in acute coronary syndromes.

Prevalence of ventricular diastolic dysfunction in asymptomatic, normotensive patients with diabetes mellitus

To determine the prevalence of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in asymptomatic, normotensive patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, we studied 61 consecutive normotensive patients with type 2 diabetes using conventional Doppler echocardiography at rest (deceleration time, isovolumic relaxation time, early diastolic velocity [E]/peak atrial systolic velocity [A] ratio), and during the Valsalva maneuver. In addition, mitral annular velocity and velocity of flow propagation were assessed in all patients using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and color M-mode echocardiography. A standard resting echocardiogram excluded significant valvular disease and stress echocardiography excluded significant coronary artery disease in those with diastolic dysfunction. Diastolic dysfunction was found in 43 of 57 patients (75%) when all of the above echocardiographic techniques were used. TDI detected diastolic dysfunction more often (63%) than any other echocardiographic approach. Thus, the prevalence of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in asymptomatic, normotensive patients with type 2 diabetes without significant coronary artery disease is much higher than previously suspected. TDI markedly improved the echocardiographic detection of diastolic dysfunction in asymptomatic patients with type 2 diabetes.

Noninvasive estimation of left ventricular filling pressure by e/e′ is a powerful predictor of survival after acute myocardial infarction

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic value of a noninvasive measure of left ventricular diastolic pressure (LVDP) early after acute myocardial infarction (MI).

BACKGROUND

The early diastolic velocity of the mitral valve annulus (e') reflects the rate of myocardial relaxation. When combined with measurement of the early transmitral flow velocity (E), the resultant ratio (E/e') correlates well with mean LVDP. In particular, an E/e' ratio >15 is an excellent predictor of an elevated mean LVDP. We hypothesized that an E/e' ratio >15 would predict poorer survival after acute MI.

METHODS

Echocardiograms were obtained in 250 unselected patients 1.6 days after admission for MI. Patients were followed for a median of 13 months. The end point was all-cause mortality.

RESULTS

Seventy-three patients (29%) had an E/e' >15. This was associated with excess mortality (log-rank statistic 21.3, p < 0.0001) and was the most powerful independent predictor of survival (risk ratio 4.8, 95% confidence interval 2.1 to 10.8, p = 0.0002). The addition of E/e' >15 improved the prognostic utility of a model containing clinical variables and conventional echocardiographic indexes of left ventricular systolic and diastolic function (p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

E/e' is a powerful predictor of survival after acute MI. An E/e' ratio >15 is superior, in this respect, to other clinical or echocardiographic features. Furthermore, it provides prognostic information incremental to these parameters.

Colour tissue velocity imaging can show resynchronisation of longitudinal left ventricular contraction pattern by biventricular pacing in patients with severe heart failure

OBJECTIVE

To quantify ventricular resynchronisation by biventricular pacing using colour tissue Doppler velocity imaging (c-TVI).

DESIGN AND PATIENTS

c-TVI shows regional tissue velocity profiles with a very high time resolution (10 ms). Eighteen patients were studied from an apical four chamber view at baseline and after a one month follow up of biventricular pacing. Regional left ventricular peak tissue velocities and regional time differences during the cardiac cycle were compared in the basal and mid interventricular septal segments of the left ventricle, and in the corresponding segments in the left ventricular free wall.

RESULTS

From baseline to follow up, mean peak tissue velocities changed only during isovolumic contraction in the basal interventricular septum and the left ventricular free wall. At baseline the peak main systolic tissue velocities in the left ventricular free wall were typically delayed by an average of 42 ms in the basal left ventricular site and by 14 ms in the mid left ventricular site compared with the corresponding sites in the interventricular septum. After resynchronisation by biventricular pacing those regional movements were separated by an average of only 7 ms at the basal site, but there was still a 21 ms earlier movement of the left ventricular free wall in the mid left ventricular site. The diastolic movement pattern remained unchanged from baseline to follow up.

CONCLUSIONS

c-TVI showed a significant asynchronous regional longitudinal movement of basal left ventricular sites at baseline. A change to a more synchronous longitudinal left ventricular movement pattern during biventricular pacing was demonstrated.

Preclinical diabetic cardiomyopathy: relation of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction to cardiac autonomic neuropathy in men with uncomplicated well-controlled type 2 diabetes

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is an ill-defined entity. This study was designed to explore the possible association between left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) and cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) independently from metabolic control. Three groups of 10 age-matched men each with well-controlled type 2 diabetes were studied: (1) subjects with normal diastolic function, (2) subjects with LVDD characterized by impaired LV relaxation, and (3) subjects with a more severe form of LVDD characterized by a pseudonormalized pattern of LV filling. No subject had evidence of clinical diabetic complications, coronary artery disease (CAD), hypertension, congestive heart failure, or thyroid or overt renal disease, and all had a negative maximal exercise test. LVDD was evaluated by Doppler echocardiographic and CAN was evaluated using spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV; time and frequency domains) from 24-hour Holter recordings. Findings showed that the high frequency power (HF: 0.15 to 0.4 Hz) tends to decrease with worsening diastolic function; 5.0 +/- 0.2 ms(2) (mean +/- SE) in group 1, 4.2 +/- 0.3 ms(2) in group 2, and 3.9 +/- 0.4 ms(2) (P =.03) in group 3, respectively, whereas the low frequency power (LF: 0.04 to 0.15 Hz) was similar between groups. In the time domain, the mean squared differences of the successive RR intervals (rMSDD) also showed the same pattern, ie, 31.0 +/- 2.8 ms, 23.8 +/- 1.6 ms, and 21.5 +/- 2.9 ms in groups 1, 2, and 3, respectively (P =.03). The E/A ratio correlated significantly with indices of parasympathetic modulation (HF; r = 0.448, P =.013; rMSDD: r = 0.457, P =.011; pNN50: r = 0.425, P =.019). LVDD and CAN are associated in patients with otherwise uncomplicated well-controlled type 2 diabetes. The parameters defining these 2 abnormalities may serve to better define diabetic cardiomyopathy as a distinct entity and could eventually become useful prognostic indicators as it has been shown in nondiabetic populations.

Diastolic ventricular dysfunction as a marker for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a family with a novel alpha-tropomyosin mutation

BACKGROUND

Early identification of familial cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) depends on screening echocardiography, but hypertrophy may not be the most sensitive marker for the disease. We report the echocardiographic findings of a family with HCM and a newly reported mutation in the gene (TPM1) encoding alpha-tropomyosin.Methods and results An 8-year-old girl had sudden cardiac death, and was found to have HCM and a novel L185R-TPM1 mutation on postmortem examination. Screening echocardiograms and DNA analyses were performed on her family. Of the 5 remaining family members, 3 were genetically affected. Those without the TPM1 mutation had normal echocardiographic results. The only echocardiographic finding that identified all 3 of the gene-positive family members was an abnormal left ventricular diastolic filling pattern.

CONCLUSION

Abnormal left ventricular diastolic filling patterns, indicating diastolic dysfunction, may provide an early marker for the diagnosis of familial HCM in children, even in the absence of left ventricular hypertrophy.

Contrast-enhanced Doppler hemodynamics for noninvasive assessment of patients with chronic heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction

We sought to evaluate whether contrast-enhanced Doppler echocardiography can improve the noninvasive estimation of hemodynamic variables in left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. Right-heart catheterization and Doppler echocardiography were simultaneously performed in 45 patients with LV dysfunction (ejection fraction: 29 +/- 7%) in sinus rhythm. Noninvasive variables were estimated as follows: cardiac output by pulsed Doppler of LV outflow tract; pulmonary capillary wedge pressure by a regression equation including mitral and pulmonary venous flow variables; pulmonary artery mean pressure from the calculated systolic and diastolic pulmonary artery pressures; and pulmonary vascular resistance from the previous measurements according to hemodynamic definition. Contrast enhancement increased the feasibility of pulmonary capillary wedge pressure estimation from 60% to 100%; of pulmonary artery mean pressure from 42% to 91%; and of pulmonary vascular resistance from 42% to 91%. Strong correlations between invasive and noninvasive hemodynamic variables were found: r = 0.90, standard error of the estimate (SEE) 0.45 L/min for cardiac output; r = 0.90, SEE 3.1 mm Hg for pulmonary capillary wedge pressure; r = 0.93, SEE 3.7 mm Hg for pulmonary artery mean pressure; and r = 0.85 SEE 1.0 Wood units for pulmonary vascular resistance. Weaker correlations for PAMP (r = 0.82, SEE 5.6 mm Hg) and PVR (r = 0.66, SEE 1.7 Wood units) were apparent prior to contrast enhancement. When patients were separated according to PVR threshold values, the contrast allowed the correct placement of 88% of patients, whereas only 57% were correctly assigned without it. The contrast increased accuracy and reduced interobserver variability in the evaluation of hemodynamic variables. The contrast-enhanced study is capable of increasing the value of noninvasive hemodynamic assessment in LV dysfunction.

Comparison between invasive hemodynamic measurements and noninvasive assessment of left ventricular diastolic function by use of Doppler echocardiography in healthy anesthetized cats

OBJECTIVE

To compare Doppler echocardiographic variables of left ventricular (LV) function with those obtained invasively via cardiac catheterization under a range of hemodynamic conditions.

ANIMALS

7 healthy anesthetized cats (1 to 3 years of age).

PROCEDURE

Cats were anesthetized and instrumented to measure the time constant of isovolumic relaxation (tau [tau]), LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP), peak negative and positive rate of change of LV pressure, arterial blood pressure, and cardiac output. Echocardiographic variables of diastolic function (isovolumic relaxation time [IVRT], early LV flow propagation velocity [Vp], transmitral and pulmonary venous flow velocity indices, and LV tissue Doppler imaging indices) were measured simultaneously over a range of hemodynamic states induced by treatments with esmolol, dobutamine, cilobradine, and volume loading. Correlation between invasive and noninvasive measures of LV filling was determined by univariate and multivariate regression analyses.

RESULTS

Significant correlations were found between tau and IVRT, peak Vp, peak late transmitral flow velocity, and peak systolic pulmonary venous flow velocity. A significant correlation was found between LVEDP and early diastolic transmitral flow velocity (peak E) and the ratio of peak E to peak Vp, but not between LVEDP and peak Vp.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

IVRT and Vp can be used as noninvasive indices of LV relaxation; Vp was independent of preload and heart rate in this study. The E:Vp ratio may be useful as an indicator of LV filling pressure.

Cardiac dysfunction in mild primary hyperparathyroidism assessed by radionuclide angiography and echocardiography before and after parathyroidectomy

BACKGROUND

Primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT) is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity for reasons that are incompletely understood. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of parathyroidectomy on cardiac function especially in patients with mild PHPT. METHODS; Fifty patients with mild PHPT (serum calcium, 2.55 to 2.95 mmol/L) were randomized to parathyroidectomy either directly (group A) or after 1 year of observation (group B). Equilibrium radionuclide angiography (ERNA) at rest and at exercise was performed in addition to echocardiography on all patients at inclusion in the study and 1 and 2 years later.

RESULTS

Left ventricular mass index was larger (P <.05) in group B compared with group A after 2 years and showed significant correlation to the serum concentration of parathyroid hormone (but not serum calcium) after 1 year. ERNA showed transient subclinical changes in both systolic and diastolic function parameters after parathyroidectomy (decrease of left ventricular ejection fraction and peak filling rate, with return to preoperative levels within 1 year).

CONCLUSIONS

Combined evaluation by ERNA and echocardiography has shown previously unknown aspects of parathyroid/myocardial interaction, which is consistent with an inotropic influence exerted by parathyroid hormone, and is in favor of early surgical treatment for PHPT irrespective of serum calcium levels.

Mitral annulus velocities by Doppler tissue imaging: practical implications with regard to preload alterations, sample position, and normal values

Because it appears to be less affected by changes in preload, mitral annulus Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) has been proposed as an alternate mean of identifying pseudonormal patterns of left ventricular filling. We thus studied the practical implications of DTI in 40 patients classified according to the Canadian Consensus on Diastolic Function (9 control participants, 9 with impaired relaxation, and 22 pseudonormal participants). Using DTI, the early diastolic velocity (Ea) was the most reproducible parameter whereas the late diastolic velocity (Aa) and Ea/Aa ratio varied significantly. Nonetheless, Ea missed 23% of pseudonormal participants and its sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values to identify diastolic dysfunction were 81%, 89%, 96%, and 57%, respectively; improving to 94%, 89%, 97%, and 80%, respectively, if used during Valsalva's maneuver. Thus, DTI is not totally preload independent and should be interpreted in light of the other Doppler parameters and the use of Valsalva's maneuver. Moreover, consistent with recent studies, these results suggest that the threshold value of Ea used to identify diastolic dysfunction should be approximately 12.5 cm/s.

Doppler-derived left ventricular end-diastolic pressure prediction model using the combined analysis of mitral and pulmonary A waves in patients with coronary artery disease and preserved left ventricular systolic function

The aim of this study was to analyze the components of mitral and pulmonary A waves and to construct a Doppler-derived left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic pressure (EDP) prediction model based on the combined analysis of transmitral and pulmonary venous flow velocity curves. Combined analysis of transmitral and pulmonary venous flow velocity curves at atrial contraction is a reliable predictor of increased LV filling pressure. The duration of pulmonary and mitral A waves is determined by the sum of respective acceleration and deceleration time. Mitral flow and left upper pulmonary vein flow velocity curves were recorded simultaneously with LVEDP in 40 consecutive patients (aged 59 +/- 8 years) with coronary artery disease and preserved LV systolic function. Differences in all parameters represent values of pulmonary minus those of mitral A wave curve. The difference in deceleration time was the strongest candidate, being included in all models. After redundancy evaluation, we reached the following model: LVEDP = 20.61 + 0.229 x difference in deceleration time (r(2) = 0.80, p <0.001). In the entire study group, the difference in duration and in deceleration time of the A wave was highly correlated with LVEDP (r = 0.79, p <0.001, and r = 0.88, p <0.001, respectively). The entire study group was further divided according to whether LVEDP was above (group I, 20 patients) or below (group II, 20 patients) the median value (15.5 mm Hg). In group I, the difference in duration and in deceleration time correlated well (r = 0.62, p = 0.01, and r = 0.75, p = 0.001, respectively) with LVEDP, whereas in group II only the difference in deceleration time correlated well (r = 0.68, p = 0.005). In patients with coronary artery disease and preserved LV systolic function, the combined analysis of mitral and pulmonary A waves can predict LVEDP. The difference in deceleration time between pulmonary and mitral A waves can reliably evaluate high and normal LVEDP.

Diastolic heart failure: restrictive cardiomyopathy, constrictive pericarditis, and cardiac tamponade: clinical and echocardiographic evaluation

An understanding of the basic principles of diastolic function is important in order to recognize diseases that may result in diastolic dysfunction and diastolic heart failure. Although uncommon, restrictive cardiomyopathy, constrictive pericarditis, and cardiac tamponade are among the disorders that may affect primarily diastolic function with preservation of systolic function. Diastolic heart failure may manifest with chronic nonspecific symptoms or may present with acute hemodynamic compromise. Echocardiography plays a vital role in the diagnosis of diastolic dysfunction and differentiation of these disease processes. It also provides a basis for clinical decisions regarding management and surgical referral. This review summarizes the clinical features, pathophysiology, and hemodynamic and echocardiographic signs of restrictive cardiomyopathy, constrictive pericarditis, and cardiac tamponade.

Doppler echocardiography in the dog: measurement variability and reproducibility

Serial Doppler echocardiographic examinations were carried out in random order on six boxer dogs, on 3 separate days, by two experienced Doppler echocardiographers, to assess measurement variability and reproducibility of 65 parameters. Large numbers of parameters exhibited significant differences for each of the categories of intraobserver, interobserver, interday and interoperator. The coefficients of variation for all parameters measured ranged from 5.03 to 46.43%, but most were less than 20%. In general, least variation was found for the intraobserver category, and the best reproducibility for M-mode and left ventricular volumetric data. The worst reproducibility was found for tricuspid inflow and pulmonary venous flow measurements. The results of this study suggest differences greater than 20% for serial scans must be achieved to document genuine change, although the specific data should be consulted. Furthermore, variability and reproducibility are improved if a single experienced operator/observer acquires and measures serial scans.

Cardiac and vascular remodeling in older adults with borderline isolated systolic hypertension: the ICARe Dicomano Study

Although borderline isolated systolic hypertension (ISH), defined as a blood pressure of 140 to 159/<90 mm Hg, is a proven cardiovascular risk factor, the major clinical trials on treatment of ISH have used a cutoff of 160 mm Hg. Moreover, no data exist on the cardiovascular modifications associated with borderline ISH. Therefore, we compared subjects with borderline ISH to subjects with diastolic hypertension (diastolic blood pressure > or =90 mm Hg) or ISH. Community-dwelling residents (age > or =65 years) of a small town in Italy (Dicomano) underwent extensive clinical examination, echocardiography, carotid ultrasonography, and applanation tonometry. Only untreated subjects were included in this analysis: 95 with diastolic hypertension, 87 with borderline ISH, and 43 with ISH. Despite lower systolic and mean pressures in borderline ISH, left ventricular mass was similar to that in diastolic hypertension. In univariate and multivariate analysis, pulse pressure but not systolic pressure was related to left ventricular mass. Borderline ISH subjects had a tendency to greater carotid cross-sectional area and stiffness index than did diastolic hypertensive subjects despite lower mean carotid pressure, whereas the number of atherosclerotic plaques was similar in the 2 groups. Pulse pressure but not systolic pressure was independently related to carotid remodeling. In our community-based, older population, individuals with borderline ISH had a similar prevalence of left ventricular hypertrophy and carotid atherosclerosis as that of subjects with diastolic hypertension, despite lower systolic and mean pressures. Among blood pressure values, pulse pressure was the single or strongest independent predictor of cardiovascular remodeling.

Effects of preoperative treatment with diltiazem on diastolic ventricular function after coronary artery bypass graft surgery

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether preoperative treatment with diltiazem could ameliorate left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction in patients after coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.

DESIGN

Prospective, nonrandomized clinical study.

SETTING

University hospital.

PARTICIPANTS

Thirty-four patients with preserved LV function undergoing elective CABG surgery.

INTERVENTIONS

According to medical history, patients were divided into 2 groups: patients not receiving diltiazem (n = 17) and patients treated with once-daily oral diltiazem for at least 2 weeks (n = 17). All patients received preoperative beta-blockers.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

After induction of anesthesia, after sternal closure, and 4 hours after cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), mitral and pulmonary venous flow velocities were measured with pulsed Doppler. LV short-axis end-diastolic area by Doppler transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) and hemodynamic variables were obtained simultaneously at comparable pulmonary capillary wedge pressures. Postoperatively, increased peak E and A velocities were observed in patients with diltiazem and controls and returned to baseline 4 hours post-CPB in controls. Changes in these velocities did not result in a decreased E/A ratio. Peak A velocity, E/A ratio, and E wave deceleration time were significantly dependent on heart rate, not peak E velocity. End-diastolic area at comparable pulmonary capillary wedge pressure remained unchanged. In relation to diltiazem, only peak A velocity and time velocity integral of the A wave (TVI-A) at 4 hours post-CPB differed from controls.

CONCLUSION

Diastolic function is preserved after CABG surgery and is not altered by diltiazem in patients with preserved LV systolic function. The persistence of increased peak A velocity and TVI-A into the postoperative period suggests improved atrial systolic function with diltiazem.

Evaluation of left atrial function by the functional volume change curve derived from Doppler flow spectra

The objective of this study was to clarify the left atrial (LA) reservoir and booster pump function in patients with left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction. To determine LA reservoir and booster pump function, a new algorithm to determine LA functional volume change curve (FVC) was developed from Doppler flow spectra of pulmonary venous flow and LV inflow by transthoracic echocardiography in 110 patients. Patients were classified into normal (N), and abnormal (AB) and pseudonormal (PN) groups on the basis of their Doppler flow patterns. From the indices of FVC, atrial reservoir volume (ARV), passive emptying volume (PEV) and active emptying volume (AEV) were obtained. ARV/stroke volume (SV) was increased in the AB group, but decreased in the PN group compared with N (N, 0.61+/-0.09; AB, 0.73+/-0.10; PN, 0.52+/-0.13, p<0.05). PEV/SV was significantly decreased in AB, but increased in PN compared with N (N, 0.27+/-0.07; AB, 0.19+/-0.07; PN, 0.31+/-0.18, p<0.05). AEV/SV was significantly increased in AB, but decreased in PN compared with N (N, 0.41+/-0.08; AB, 0.56+/-0.10; PN, 0.26+/-0.19, p<0.05). Thus, in patients with an abnormal relaxation pattern, the LA reservoir and booster pump function are augmented, but in patients with a pseudonormal pattern, both LA reservoir and booster pump function are deteriorated, suggesting a vulnerability to pulmonary congestion.

Effects of age, body weight, and heart rate on transmitral and pulmonary venous flow in clinically normal dogs

OBJECTIVE

To determine the influence of age, body weight (BW), heart rate (HR), sex, and left ventricular shortening fraction (LVSF) on transmitral and pulmonary venous flow in clinically normal dogs.

ANIMALS

92 client-owned dogs 3 months to 19 years old.

PROCEDURE

Transthoracic Doppler echocardiography recordings of transmitral flow and pulmonary venous flow were obtained in conscious unsedated dogs. Influence of age, BW, HR, sex, and LVSF on diastolic variables was assessed, using statistical methods such as ANOVA on ranks and univariate and multivariate forward stepwise linear regression analyses.

RESULTS

Age significantly influenced isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT, r = 0.56), ratio between peak velocity of the early diastolic mitral flow wave-to-peak velocity of late diastolic mitral flow wave (E:A; r = -0.44), deceleration time of early diastolic mitral flow (DTE; r = 0.26), and peak velocity of atrial reversal pulmonary venous flow wave (AR-wave; r = 0.37). Significant changes of mitral inflow and pulmonary venous flow variables were evident only in dogs > 6 and > 10 years old, respectively. Body weight significantly influenced DTE (r = 0.63), late diastolic flow duration (r = 0.60), and AR duration (r = 0.47), whereas HR significantly affected DTE (r = -0.34), IVRT (r = -0.33), and peak velocity of AR (r = 0.24). Sex or LVSF (range 22 to 48%) did not influence any echocardiographic variables.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Age, BW, and HR are important factors that affect filling of the left atrium and left ventricle in clinically normal dogs.

Echocardiographic assessment of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate new echocardiographic modes in the diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC).

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

SETTING

University Hospital.

SUBJECTS

15 patients with ARVC and a control group of 25 healthy subjects.

METHODS

Transthoracic echocardiography included cross sectional measurements of the right ventricular outflow tract, right ventricular inflow tract, and right ventricular body. Wall motion was analysed subjectively. M mode and pulsed tissue Doppler techniques were used for quantitative measurement of tricuspid annular motion at the lateral, septal, posterior, and anterior positions. Doppler assessment of tricuspid flow and systemic venous flow was also performed.

RESULTS

Assessed by M mode, the total amplitude of the tricuspid annular motion was significantly decreased in the lateral, septal, and posterior positions in the patients compared with the controls. The tissue Doppler velocity pattern showed decreased early diastolic peak annular (E(A)) velocity and an accompanying decrease in early (E(A)) to late diastolic (A(A)) velocity ratio in all positions; the systolic annular velocity was significantly decreased only in the lateral position. Four patients had normal right ventricular dimensions and three were judged to have normal right ventricular wall motion. The patient group had also a significantly decreased tricuspid flow E:A ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

Tricuspid annular measurements are valuable, easy to obtain, and allow quantitative assessment of right ventricular function. ARVC patients showed an abnormal velocity pattern that may be an early but non-specific sign of the disease. Normal right ventricular dimensions do not exclude ARVC, and subjective detection of early changes in wall motion may be difficult.

Echocardiographic assessment of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate new echocardiographic modes in the diagnosis of arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC).

DESIGN

Prospective observational study.

SETTING

University Hospital.

SUBJECTS

15 patients with ARVC and a control group of 25 healthy subjects.

METHODS

Transthoracic echocardiography included cross sectional measurements of the right ventricular outflow tract, right ventricular inflow tract, and right ventricular body. Wall motion was analysed subjectively. M mode and pulsed tissue Doppler techniques were used for quantitative measurement of tricuspid annular motion at the lateral, septal, posterior, and anterior positions. Doppler assessment of tricuspid flow and systemic venous flow was also performed.

RESULTS

Assessed by M mode, the total amplitude of the tricuspid annular motion was significantly decreased in the lateral, septal, and posterior positions in the patients compared with the controls. The tissue Doppler velocity pattern showed decreased early diastolic peak annular (EA) velocity and an accompanying decrease in early (EA) to late diastolic (AA) velocity ratio in all positions; the systolic annular velocity was significantly decreased only in the lateral position. Four patients had normal right ventricular dimensions and three were judged to have normal right ventricular wall motion. The patient group had also a significantly decreased tricuspid flow E:A ratio.

CONCLUSIONS

Tricuspid annular measurements are valuable, easy to obtain, and allow quantitative assessment of right ventricular function. ARVC patients showed an abnormal velocity pattern that may be an early but non-specific sign of the disease. Normal right ventricular dimensions do not exclude ARVC, and subjective detection of early changes in wall motion may be difficult.

Chamber properties from transmitral flow: prediction of average and passive left ventricular diastolic stiffness

A chamber stiffness (K(LV))-transmitral flow (E-wave) deceleration time relation has been invasively validated in dogs with the use of average stiffness [(DeltaP/DeltaV)(avg)]. K(LV) is equivalent to k(E), the (E-wave) stiffness of the parameterized diastolic filling model. Prediction and validation of 1) (DeltaP/DeltaV)(avg) in terms of k(E), 2) early rapid-filling stiffness [(DeltaP/DeltaV)(E)] in terms of k(E), and 3) passive (postdiastasis) chamber stiffness [(DeltaP/DeltaV)(PD)] from A waves in terms of the stiffness parameter for the Doppler A wave (k(A)) have not been achieved. Simultaneous micromanometric left ventricular (LV) pressure (LVP) and transmitral flow from 131 subjects were analyzed. (DeltaP)(avg) and (DeltaV)(avg) utilized the minimum LVP-LV end-diastolic pressure interval. (DeltaP/DeltaV)(E) utilized DeltaP and DeltaV from minimum LVP to E-wave termination. (DeltaP/DeltaV)(PD) utilized atrial systolic DeltaP and DeltaV. E- and A-wave analysis generated k(E) and k(A). For all subjects, noninvasive-invasive relations yielded the following equations: k(E) = 1,401. (DeltaP/DeltaV)(avg) + 59.2 (r = 0.84) and k(E) = 229.0. (DeltaP/DeltaV)(E) + 112 (r = 0.80). For subjects with diastasis (n = 113), k(A) = 1,640. (DeltaP/DeltaV)(PD) - 8.40 (r = 0.89). As predicted, k(A) showed excellent correlation with (DeltaP/DeltaV)(PD); k(E) correlated highly with (DeltaP/DeltaV)(avg). In vivo validation of average, early, and passive chamber stiffness facilitates quantitative, noninvasive diastolic function assessment from transmitral flow.

Evaluation of diastolic function

Abnormalities of diastolic function are increasingly recognized as important components of the abnormal physiology in many patients with heart failure. In order to better understand the role of abnormalities of individual parameters or diastolic function affecting filling of the left ventricular a broader understanding of the relationship of systolic and diastolic performance on overall left ventricular pump performance should be considered. While measurement of diastolic function noninvasively has become the predominant way of assessing diastolic performance, invasive evaluation remains important. Moreover, understanding the physiology of diastolic performance remains essential to proper diagnosis and management.

Diastolic dysfunction is predictive of difficult weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass

Diastolic function is receiving more attention since echocardiographic measurements were developed and have become widely available. The importance and significance of diastolic dysfunction (DD) observed before cardiac surgery and its relationship with adverse outcomes, such as difficult separation from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), have not been fully explored. In this study, we hypothesize that DD can be a predictor for the need of inotropic support to successfully separate from CPB. Ninety-two consecutive patients underwent surgery during the study period. Twenty-six patients were excluded. From the remaining 66 patients, 52 had coronary artery bypass grafting alone and 14 combined procedures, valvular surgery, and reoperations (redo). Systolic and diastolic function was evaluated by two experts blinded as to the clinical data except for the age. The evaluation of diastolic function was done according to published guidelines. The demographic, echocardiographic, and hemodynamic variables were entered in a logistic regression analysis to determine which variables were independent predictors of difficult separation from CPB and the need for postoperative vasoactive support. DD was present in 20 patients (30%). Patients with DD had lower weight (P = 0.046), less frequent coronary artery bypass grafting alone (P = 0.0004), more myocardial infarction before surgery (P = 0.02), higher regional wall motion score index (P = 0.0002), and larger left ventricle (P = 0.03). Total CPB time (P = 0.004) and ischemic time (P = 0.007) were longer in the DD group. Patients with DD required more frequent inotropic support at the end of surgery (P = 0.006) and up to 12 h after surgery (P = 0.003). Multivariate logistic regression identified female sex, DD, and total CPB time as predictive of difficult weaning and inotropic requirements up to 12 h after surgery.

Prevalence of diastolic dysfunction in normotensive, asymptomatic patients with well-controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus

To evaluate the prevalence of left ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus free of cardiovascular disease, we studied 86 normotensive men and women (mean age 46 +/- 6 years) with Doppler echocardiography. All subjects were asymptomatic for ischemic heart disease or heart failure. The traditional transmitral filling patterns were used to characterize diastolic physiology. The Valsalva maneuver was used to differentiate normal from pseudonormal LV filling pattern. All patients had a normal electrocardiogram at rest and a negative result on exercise echocardiography for inducible wall motion abnormalities. Global LV systolic function was normal (mean LV ejection fraction 58%, range 53% to 76%). Diastolic dysfunction was found in 41 subjects (47%) of which 26 (30%) had impaired relaxation and 15 (17%) had a pseudonormal filling pattern. The mean LV mass index was 101 g/m2 (range 86 to 122). All patients with a normal-filling physiology had gender-adjusted normal LV mass index (mean 93 +/- 11 g/m2), whereas 62% of those with either abnormal relaxation (mean 103 +/- 12 g/m2, p <0.001) or a pseudonormal pattern (mean 110 +/- 12 g/m2, p <0.001) had increased LV mass index. No subject in this cohort had restrictive diastolic physiology. In conclusion, diastolic dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients is often found despite adequate metabolic control and freedom from clinically detectable heart disease. The Valsalva maneuver can unmask an additional 17% of patients with subclinical abnormal LV filling pattern, who otherwise would be classified as having a normal diastolic physiology. Increased LV mass index is closely associated with abnormal LV filling characteristics.

Diastolic dysfunction is predictive of difficult weaning from cardiopulmonary bypass

Diastolic function is receiving more attention since echocardiographic measurements were developed and have become widely available. The importance and significance of diastolic dysfunction (DD) observed before cardiac surgery and its relationship with adverse outcomes, such as difficult separation from cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), have not been fully explored. In this study, we hypothesize that DD can be a predictor for the need of inotropic support to successfully separate from CPB. Ninety-two consecutive patients underwent surgery during the study period. Twenty-six patients were excluded. From the remaining 66 patients, 52 had coronary artery bypass grafting alone and 14 combined procedures, valvular surgery, and reoperations (redo). Systolic and diastolic function was evaluated by two experts blinded as to the clinical data except for the age. The evaluation of diastolic function was done according to published guidelines. The demographic, echocardiographic, and hemodynamic variables were entered in a logistic regression analysis to determine which variables were independent predictors of difficult separation from CPB and the need for postoperative vasoactive support. DD was present in 20 patients (30%). Patients with DD had lower weight (P = 0.046), less frequent coronary artery bypass grafting alone (P = 0.0004), more myocardial infarction before surgery (P = 0.02), higher regional wall motion score index (P = 0.0002), and larger left ventricle (P = 0.03). Total CPB time (P = 0.004) and ischemic time (P = 0.007) were longer in the DD group. Patients with DD required more frequent inotropic support at the end of surgery (P = 0.006) and up to 12 h after surgery (P = 0.003). Multivariate logistic regression identified female sex, DD, and total CPB time as predictive of difficult weaning and inotropic requirements up to 12 h after surgery.

Diastolic dysfunction in normotensive men with well-controlled type 2 diabetes: importance of maneuvers in echocardiographic screening for preclinical diabetic cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVE

Because a pseudonormal pattern of ventricular filling has never been considered in studies that reported a prevalence of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (LVDD) between 20 and 40%, our aim was to more completely evaluate the prevalence of LVDD in subjects with diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

We studied 46 men with type 2 diabetes who were aged 38-67 years; without evidence of diabetic complications, hypertension, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, or thyroid or overt renal disease; and with a maximal treadmill exercise test showing no ischemia. LVDD was evaluated by Doppler echocardiography, which included the use of the Valsalva maneuver and pulmonary venous recordings to unmask a pseudonormal pattern of left ventricular filling.

RESULTS

LVDD was found in 28 subjects (60%), of whom 13 (28%) had a pseudonormal pattern of ventricular filling and 15 (32%) had impaired relaxation. Systolic function was normal in all subjects, and there was no correlation between LVDD and indexes of metabolic control.

CONCLUSIONS

LVDD is much more common than previously reported in subjects with well-controlled type 2 diabetes who are free of clinically detectable heart disease. The high prevalence of this phenomenon in this high-risk population suggests that screening for LVDD in type 2 diabetes should include procedures such as the Valsalva maneuver and pulmonary venous recordings to unmask a pseudonormal pattern of ventricular filling.

Prognostic value of pulmonary venous flow Doppler signal in left ventricular dysfunction: contribution of the difference in duration of pulmonary venous and mitral flow at atrial contraction

OBJECTIVES

We assessed the contribution of difference in duration of pulmonary venous and mitral flow at atrial contraction (ARd-Ad) for prognostic stratification of patients with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction.

BACKGROUND

Although pulmonary venous flow (PVF) variables may supplement mitral flow patterns in evaluating left ventricular (LV) diastolic function, their value to the prognostic stratification of patients has not been investigated.

METHODS

Pulsed wave Doppler mitral and PVF velocity curves were recorded in 145 patients (mean age: 70 years) with LV systolic dysfunction secondary to ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathy who were followed for 15 +/- 8 months. In 38% of patients, PVF signal was enhanced by the intravenous (IV) administration of a galactose-based echo-contrast agent. Based on E-wave deceleration time < or = or >130 ms and ARd-Ad, patients were grouped into restrictive (group 1, n = 40), nonrestrictive with ARd-Ad > or =30 ms (group 2, n = 55) and nonrestrictive with ARd-Ad <30 ms (group 3, n = 50).

RESULTS

During follow-up, 29 patients died from cardiac causes and 28 were hospitalized for worsening heart failure (HF). On multivariate Cox model, ARd-Ad > or =30 ms provided important prognostic information with regard to cardiac mortality and emerged as the single best predictor of cardiac events (cardiac mortality, hospitalization). The 24-month cardiac event-free survival was best (86.3%) for group 3; it was intermediate (37.9%) for group 2; and it was worst (22.9%) for group 1 (p < 0.0002 group 1 vs. 3; p < 0.0005 group 2 vs. 3; p < 0.0003 group 1 vs. group 2).

CONCLUSIONS

Assessment of ARd-Ad exhibited an independent value in the prognostic evaluation of patients with LV systolic dysfunction. Moreover, it contributed to identify patients at low, intermediate and high risk of cardiac events.

Pathophysiology of impaired right and left ventricular function in chronic embolic pulmonary hypertension: changes after pulmonary thromboendarterectomy

STUDY OBJECTIVES

This study sought to evaluate the pathophysiology of left and right heart failure in patients with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) who were hospitalized to undergo pulmonary thromboendarterectomy (PTE).

DESIGN

Thirty-nine patients (16 women and 23 men; mean +/- SD age, 55+/-12 years) with severe CTEPH were examined before and 13+/-8 days after PTE by way of transthoracic echocardiography and right heart catheterization.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Examination results confirmed in all cases that before surgery the right ventricles were enlarged and systolic function was impaired. Moderate to severe tricuspid valve regurgitation was observed. Left ventricular eccentricity indexes reflected a leftward displacement of the interventricular septum. End-diastolic left ventricular size and systolic function had decreased, and the left ventricular filling pattern showed impaired diastolic function. After surgery, mean pulmonary artery pressure was significantly lower (48+/- 10 mm Hg vs. 25+/-7 mm Hg; p<0.05). The calculated end-diastolic and end-systolic right ventricular areas had decreased: 30+/-7 cm(2) vs 21 +/-5 cm(2) (p<0.05) and 24+/-6 cm(2) vs. 14+/-4 cm(2) (p<0.05), respectively. Right ventricular fractional area change had increased (20+/-7% vs. 33+/-8%; p<0.05). Most of the patients exhibited a marked decrease in the severity of tricuspid regurgitation. Septal motion, left ventricular systolic function, and diastolic filling pattern returned to normal values (early to late diastolic left ventricular inflow ratio, 0.70+/-0.33 vs. 1.35+/-0.51; p<0.05). The mean cardiac index also improved (2.7+/-0.6 L/min/m(2) vs. 3.7+/-0.8 L/min/m(2)).

CONCLUSIONS

In CTEPH, functions are impaired in the right as well as the left ventricles of the heart. Improved lung perfusion and the reduction of right ventricular pressure overload are direct results of PTE, which in turn bring a profound reduction of right ventricular size and a recovery of systolic function. Normalization of interventricular septal motion as well as improved venous return to the left atrium lead to a normalization of left ventricular diastolic and systolic function, and the cardiac index improves.

The echo-Doppler evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function. A current perspective

The role of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in health and disease is still incompletely understood and under appreciated by most primary care physicians and many cardiologists. Physical examination, electrocardiogram, and chest radiographs are unreliable in making the diagnosis of LV diastolic dysfunction in most individuals, and invasive measurements of cardiac pressures, rates of LV relaxation, and LV compliance are costly, clinically impracticable as they carry increased risk, and require special catheters and software analysis programs. The authors address the definition of LV diastolic dysfunction, history of diastole, LV filling patterns, pulmonary venous flow velocity variables, additional ancillary data, practical echo-Doppler evaluation of LV diastolic function, and limitations.

Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure can be estimated by either changes in transmitral inflow pattern during valsalva maneuver or analysis of pulmonary venous flow

We directly compared the transmitral inflow pattern during preload reduction and pulmonary venous flow velocities to determine left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) in 78 patients who underwent left heart catheterization. Transmitral inflow indexes (A-wave duration, ratio of peak flow velocity of early diastole [E] to peak flow velocity of late diastole during atrial contraction [A] [E/A ratio]) at rest and during the Valsalva maneuver (30 mm Hg for 15 seconds) and indexes of pulmonary venous flow (velocity and duration of the atrial reversal) were obtained. Fair correlations existed between LVEDP (mean 15+/-6 mm Hg) and the percentage decrease in the E/A ratio (r = 0.72), increase in duration of A wave during the Valsalva maneuver (r = 0.60), flow velocity of atrial reversal (r = 0.58), and difference of duration of atrial flow reversal and A wave (r = 0.62) (all P<.001). While sensitivity, specificity, and diagnostic accuracy to detect an elevated LVEDP were comparable, technically adequate Doppler recordings were obtained more often for the mitral inflow during the Valsalva maneuver than for the pulmonary venous flow (72 versus 66 patients, P< 0.05).

Effects of first myocardial infarction on left ventricular systolic and diastolic function with the use of mitral annular velocity determined by pulsed wave doppler tissue imaging

This study was undertaken to assess the effect of a first myocardial infarction (MI) on the systolic and diastolic velocity profiles of the mitral annulus determined by pulsed wave Doppler tissue imaging and thereby evaluate left ventricular (LV) function after MI. Seventy-eight patients with a first MI were examined before discharge. Peak systolic, peak early diastolic, and peak late diastolic velocities were recorded at 4 different sites on the mitral annulus corresponding to the septum, anterior, lateral, and inferior sites of the left ventricle. In addition, the amplitude of mitral annular motion at the 4 above LV sites, the ejection fraction, and conventional Doppler diastolic parameters were recorded. Nineteen age-matched healthy subjects served as controls. Compared with healthy subjects, the MI patients had a significantly reduced peak systolic velocity at the mitral annulus, especially at the infarction sites. A relatively good linear correlation was found between the ejection fraction and the mean systolic velocity from the 4 LV sites (r = 0.74, P <.001). The correlation was also good when the mean peak systolic mitral annular velocity was tested against the magnitude of the mean mitral annular motion (r = 0.77, P <.001). When the patients were divided into 2 different groups with respect to an ejection fraction > or =0.50 or <0.50, a cutoff point of mean systolic mitral annular velocity of > or =7.5 cm/s had a sensitivity of 79% and a specificity of 88% in predicting a preserved global LV systolic function. Similar to systolic velocities, the early diastolic velocity was also reduced, especially at the infarction sites. The peak mitral annular early diastolic velocity correlated well with both LV ejection fraction (r =.66, P <.001) and mean systolic mitral annular motion (r = 0.68, P <.001). However, no correlation existed between the early diastolic velocity and conventional diastolic Doppler parameters. The reduced peak systolic mitral annular velocity seems to be an expression of regionally reduced systolic function. The peak early diastolic velocity is also reduced, especially at the infarction sites, and reflects regional diastolic dysfunction. Thus, quantification of myocardial velocity by Doppler tissue imaging opens up a new possibility of assessing LV function along its long axis.

Effect of volume reduction on mitral annular diastolic velocities in hemodialysis patients

The effect of volume reduction on various diastolic Doppler parameters of left ventricular filling was assessed in 13 patients before and after hemodialysis. Volume reduction decreased early diastolic mitral annular velocities to a lesser extent than early diastolic mitral inflow velocities.

Echocardiographic assessment of the left atrial appendage

The left atrial (LA) appendage is a common source of cardiac thrombus formation associated with systemic embolism. Transesophageal echocardiography allows a detailed evaluation of the structure and function of the appendage by two-dimensional imaging and Doppler interrogation of appendage flow. Specific flow patterns, reflecting appendage function, have been characterized for normal sinus rhythm and various abnormal cardiac rhythms. Appendage dysfunction has been associated with LA appendage spontaneous echocardiographic contrast, thrombus formation and thromboembolism. These associations have been studied extensively in patients with atrial fibrillation or atrial flutter, in patients undergoing cardioversion of atrial arrhythmias and in patients with mitral valve disease. The present review summarizes the literature on the echocardiographic assessment of LA appendage structure, function and dysfunction, which has become an integral part of the routine clinical transesophageal echocardiographic examination.

Pitfalls in Doppler evaluation of diastolic function: insights from 3-dimensional magnetic resonance imaging

Ultrasound-Doppler assessment of diastolic function is subject to velocity errors caused by angle sensitivity and a fixed location of the sample volume. We used 3-dimensional phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate these errors in 10 patients with hypertension and in 10 healthy volunteers. The single (Doppler) and triple (MRI) component velocity was measured at early (E) and late (A) inflow along Doppler-like sample lines or 3-dimensional particle traces generated from the MRI data. Doppler measurements underestimated MRI velocities by 9.4% +/- 8.6%; the effect on the E/A ratio was larger and more variable. Measuring early and late diastolic inflows from a single line demonstrated the error caused by their 3-dimensional spatial offset. Both errors were minimized by calculating the E/A ratio from maximal E and A values without constraint to a single line. Alignment and spatial offset are important sources of error in Doppler diastolic parameters. Improved accuracy may be achieved with the use of maximal E and A velocities from wherever they occur in the left ventricle.

Left Ventricular Regional Diastolic Dysfunction in Patients with First Myocardial Infarction Determined by Diastolic Motion of the Atrioventricular Plane

Motion of the left ventricular [left ventricle (LV)] atrioventricular (AV) plane has been used to assess systolic LV function. The method has not been used properly to assess diastolic function, especially after a first myocardial infarction (MI). The diastolic function was assessed in 47 previously healthy patients with a first MI assessed by echocardiographic diastolic motion of the LV AV plane. The motion of the AV plane was recorded at four different LV sites, that is, at the septal, anterior, lateral, and inferior walls. Two distinct phases of motion were noticed during diastole at all the sites: one at the early diastole caused by rapid filling of the LV and the other at late diastole during the atrial contraction. The contribution of left atrial contraction to LV filling at different LV sites was calculated by relating the magnitude of the motion caused by atrial contraction to the total diastolic AV plane motion at the respective sites. These left atrial contributions were regarded as the regional diastolic function of the respective LV sites. The global LV diastolic function was determined from the left atrial contribution to total AV plane motion from the above four sites. Patients with anterior MI had a significantly lower ejection fraction than those with inferior MI (41% and 49%, respectively; P < 0.01). Compared with age-matched healthy subjects, the regional atrial contribution to diastolic filling was significantly higher at the anterior wall in anterior MI (38% and 52%, respectively; P < 0.001) and at the inferior wall in inferior MI (43% and 53%, respectively; P < 0.01). The atrial contribution to global LV filling was increased in anterior MI (48% compared with 42% in healthy subjects; P < 0.05) but not in inferior MI. These findings suggest that the diastolic AV plane displacement (AVPD) may be used to assess both the regional and the global diastolic function in patients following an MI.

Effects of age and physiologic variables on right ventricular filling dynamics in normal subjects

The reference values for right ventricular (RV) filling of normal persons and the effects of physiologic variables in a large series have not been described. The objective of this study was to characterize superior vena cava, hepatic vein, and RV inflow Doppler measurements in a large normal reference group to reflect the aging process, gender, heart rate, and effects of respiration. We prospectively performed pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiography of the superior vena cava, hepatic vein, and RV inflow during inspiration, expiration, and apnea in 115 healthy volunteers (62 women and 53 men) ranging in age from 21 to 84 years (mean +/- SEM 48 +/- 17). For analysis, the study subjects were classified by age into 2 groups: those < 50 years of age (group 1; n = 60) and those > or = 50 years of age (group 2; n = 55). Multiregression models were used to assess the influence of age, gender, and heart rate on Doppler variables. There were important differences in superior vena cava and RV inflow between the 2 groups. Group 2 had a greater superior vena cava peak atrial flow velocity (16 +/- 3 vs 13 +/- 3 cm/s), flow integrals (1.5 +/- 0.4 vs 1.1 +/- 0.3 cm), and reverse flow as a percentage of forward flow (17 +/- 6% vs 14 +/- 6%) than group 1. In group 2, peak RV inflow early filling velocity (41 +/- 8 vs 51 +/- 7 cm/s) and ratio of early filling-to-atrial filling (1.3 +/- 0.4 vs 2 +/- 0.5) were lower than that of group 1. Likewise, peak atrial filling velocity was higher (33 +/- 8 vs 27 +/- 8 cm/s) and deceleration time was longer (198 +/- 23 vs 188 +/- 22 ms) in group 2. The superior vena cava and hepatic vein peak forward flow velocities were significantly higher during inspiration than during expiration and apnea. Similarly, RV inflow velocities were significantly higher during inspiration than in expiration and apnea. Multiregression analysis showed that age, gender, and heart rate had important effects on Doppler variables. Thus, this study demonstrates the effects of aging and normal physiologic variable flow velocities in the superior vena cava, hepatic veins, and RV inflow in a large series of normal subjects.

Prevalence of left ventricular diastolic filling abnormalities in adult cardiac surgical patients: an intraoperative echocardiographic study

The incidence of left ventricular (LV) diastolic abnormalities in adult cardiac surgical patients has not previously been adequately investigated. The present study was performed to characterize LV diastolic filling patterns by performing transesophageal Doppler echocardiographic (TEE) studies in patients undergoing cardiac surgical procedures and thus indirectly assess diastolic function in these patients. Doppler TEE studies were performed and transmitral flow (TMF) and pulmonary venous flow (PVF) velocities were recorded in 104 patients intraoperatively. Peak early (E) and late (A) TMF velocities and systolic (S) and diastolic (D) forward PVF velocities were assessed and deceleration time (DT) was measured in all patients. For analysis, the study patients were classified into three groups according to the ratio of the TMF E to A velocity curves: group I with E/A ratio less than 1.0, group II with E/A ratio of 1.0 to less than 2.0, and group III with E/A ratio of 2.0 or greater. A filling pattern of abnormal LV relaxation was found in 73 patients (E/A < 1.0), a normal or pseudonormal pattern was present in 27 patients (1.0 < or = E/A < or = 2.0), and restrictive filling in 4 patients (E/A > 2.0). Patients with impaired relaxation had a greater incidence of recent myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure (CHF) than those with normal or pseudonormal filling patterns. Within group II, patients with CHF had higher TMF E deceleration rates and lower PVF S/D ratios compared with those without CHF (P < .05). Doppler echocardiographic examination of TMF and PVF velocities suggests that abnormalities in diastolic function are prevalent in adult cardiac surgical patients.

Evaluation of Left Ventricular Diastolic Performance Using Automated Border Detection

Acoustic quantification (AQ) is a noninvasive technique which provides online left ventricular (LV) area/volume waveforms. The filling portion of the AQ waveform can be used to assess LV diastolic properties. Analysis of signal-averaged AQ curves enhances the waveforms and allows reliable, quantitative, and automated analysis. From signal-averaged AQ LV waveforms, the phases of diastole can be easily detected and several parameters of diastolic performance calculated. Analysis of signal-averaged LV waveforms is complementary to that of LV AQ analysis. AQ has been used to identify diastolic dysfunction in patients with LV hypertrophy and systemic hypertension. Normal values of these parameters are age dependent and reference values will soon be available.

Duration of pulmonary venous atrial reversal flow velocity and mitral inflow a wave: new measure of severity of cardiac amyloidosis

Transmitral Doppler flow patterns of patients with cardiac amyloidosis evolve from an early impaired relaxation to an advanced restrictive pattern. This reflects increasing severity of diastolic dysfunction and hence left ventricular filling pressures. The duration of the pulmonary venous atrial reversal flow was recently shown to exceed that of the mitral inflow A wave in patients with left ventricular end-diastolic pressure greater than 15 mm Hg. The objective of this study was to assess the utility of this index as a measure of the severity of cardiac amyloidosis. Comprehensive transthoracic 2-dimensional and pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiograms of the pulmonary venous and transmitral flows were made of 23 patients (10 women) with biopsy-proven diagnosis of primary systemic amyloidosis and of 49 subjects as age-matched normal controls. The amyloidosis group was divided into non-restrictive and restrictive subgroups on the basis of the patients' transmitral inflow deceleration time (>150 and < or =150 ms, respectively). The durations of the pulmonary venous atrial reversal and mitral inflow A wave were measured, and the differences between the flow durations were compared with the control and published data in the nonrestrictive and restrictive groups. The mean duration of the pulmonary venous atrial reversal was significantly longer in the amyloid than the control group (P < .01). The mean duration of the mitral inflow A wave was significantly shorter in the restrictive group than both the nonrestrictive and the control groups (P < .05). The duration of the pulmonary venous atrial reversal exceeded that of the mitral inflow A wave in all patients with cardiac amyloidosis. The difference in duration between pulmonary venous atrial reversal and mitral inflow A wave was significantly greater in the amyloidosis group compared with the normal group, and this index varied significantly within the amyloid group between the abnormal relaxation and the restrictive groups. The difference in the duration between the pulmonary venous atrial reversal and the mitral inflow A wave is a reliable index of diastolic function and can be used to assess the severity of cardiac amyloidosis.

Age independence of the difference in duration of pulmonary venous atrial reversal flow and transmitral A-wave flow in normal subjects

Aging influences pulmonary venous flow and mitral inflow velocities. The duration of pulmonary venous atrial reversal flow exceeds that of the mitral inflow A wave in patients with left ventricular end-diastolic pressures greater than 15 mm Hg. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of age on the difference between the duration of pulmonary venous atrial reversal flow and that of the mitral inflow A wave in a large number of normal individuals. Pulsed wave Doppler transthoracic echocardiograms of the pulmonary venous flow and the transmitral inflow with respiratory monitoring were made of 72 normal volunteers (40 women) ranging in age between 23 and 84 years. The differences in the durations of pulmonary venous atrial reversal flow and mitral inflow A wave were measured and their correlation with age assessed. Age was not highly correlated with the duration of pulmonary venous atrial reversal flow (r = 0.25) nor the duration of the mitral inflow A wave (r = 0.33). The duration of pulmonary venous atrial reversal flow exceeded the duration of the mitral inflow A-wave flow only in three (4%) of 72 subjects, and age was not related to the index in this group (r = -0.16; p = 0.19). The difference in durations was not significantly affected by the phase of respiration. Men had higher values on all measurements than women. The difference between the pulmonary venous atrial reversal duration and the mitral inflow A-wave duration is independent of age and thus may be used as a reliable index of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure, even in elderly patients.

Hemodynamic determinants of Doppler pulmonary venous flow velocity components: new insights from studies in lightly sedated normal dogs

OBJECTIVES

We sought to define the hemodynamic determinants of pulmonary venous (PV) flow velocities to assess how these are affected by respiration, heart rate and loading conditions.

BACKGROUND

Pulmonary venous flow velocity (PVFV) recorded with pulsed wave Doppler technique is currently used in the noninvasive evaluation of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function and filling pressures. Although previous studies in both animals and humans have shown that PV flow is pulsatile, the hemodynamic determinants of the individual components of this flow remain controversial. Understanding the physiologic mechanisms should help to better define the clinical utility of these Doppler techniques.

METHODS

PV flow velocities obtained with transesophageal pulsed wave Doppler imaging were recorded together with PV, left atrial (LA) and LV pressures in 10 sedated, spontaneously breathing normal dogs. PVFV and hemodynamic data were analyzed during apnea, inspiration and expiration, at atrial paced heart rates of 60, 80, 100 and 120 beats/min and mean LA pressures of 6, 12, 18 and 24 mm Hg.

RESULTS

The data showed that 1) PV pressure varied depending on recording site, resembling pulmonary artery pressure closer to the pulmonary capillary bed and LA pressure closer to the venoatrial junction; 2) PVFV qualitatively followed changes in the PV-LA pressure gradient; 3) four PVFV components exist under normal conditions-three of which follow phasic changes in LA pressure and one of which (the late systolic component) is more influenced by RV stroke volume and the compliance of the pulmonary veins and left atrium; 4) normal respiration and changes in heart rate significantly alter PVFV variables--in particular, reverse flow velocity at atrial contraction; and 5) increasing LA pressure results in larger PV A wave and PV early systolic flow velocities, as well as an earlier peak in PV late systolic flow velocity and a more prominent velocity minimum before PV diastolic flow.

CONCLUSIONS

Using transesophageal pulsed wave Doppler technique, four PVFV components are identifiable and determined by PV-LA hemodynamic pressure gradients. These gradients appear to be influenced by a combination of physiologic events that include RV stroke volume, the compliance of the pulmonary vasculature and left atrium and phasic changes in LA pressure. PV flow velocity components are significantly influenced by heart rate, respiration and LA pressure. These findings have implications for the interpretation of LV diastolic function and filling pressures by current Doppler echocardiographic techniques but require further clinical investigation.

The noninvasive assessment of left ventricular diastolic function with two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography

Left ventricular diastolic filling can be determined reliably by Doppler-derived mitral and pulmonary venous flow velocities. Diastolic filling abnormalities are broadly classified at their extremes to impaired relaxation and restrictive physiology with many patterns in between. An impaired relaxation pattern identifies patients with early stages of heart disease, and appropriate therapy may avert progression and functional disability. Pseudonormalization is a transitional phase between abnormal relaxation and restrictive physiology and signifies increased filling pressure and decreased compliance. In this phase, reducing preload, optimizing afterload, and treating the underlying disease are clinically helpful. A restrictive physiology pattern identifies advanced, usually symptomatic disease with a poor prognosis. Therapeutic intervention is directed toward normalizing loading conditions and improving the restrictive filling pattern, although this may not be feasible in certain heart diseases. Finally, many patients have left ventricular filling patterns that appear indeterminate or mixed. In these cases, clinical information, left atrial and left ventricular size, pulmonary venous flow velocity, and alteration of preload help assess diastolic function and estimate diastolic filling pressures.