磷酸肌酸对早期舒张功能障碍的疗效(英文)

目的:探讨磷酸肌酸钠(CP,里尔统)治疗心肌早期舒张功能障碍的疗效。方法:心肌舒张功能障碍患者138例,分为磷酸肌酸钠组(109例)常规治疗组(29例),所有患者均进行常规治疗。磷酸肌酸组在常规治疗的基础上,给予CP2g+5%葡萄糖或0.9%的氯化钠100ml静脉滴注,轻度舒张功能减低者每天1次,中度舒张功能减退者每天2次,连续7～14d为1疗程。采用彩色多普勒超声心动图检测二尖瓣口舒张早期峰值流速(E)、二尖瓣口舒张晚期峰值流速(A),二尖瓣环舒张早期速度峰值(Ea)、二尖瓣环舒张晚期速度峰值(Aa),计算E/A比值,Ea/Aa比值和E/Ea比值,对比治疗前后两组临床症状、体征及彩色多普勒超声心动图各指标改善情况。结果:治疗后两组患者所有症状和体征均有明显的改善(P0.05～0.01),且磷酸肌酸钠组临床显效率(96.2%)明显高于常规治疗组的57.1%(P0.01)。磷酸肌酸钠组E/A比值(81.65%∶10.34%)、Ea/Aa比值(83.49%∶13.79%)、E/Ea比值(92.86%∶12.00%)的显效率均显著高于常规治疗组的(P均0.01)。结论:磷酸肌酸钠对于改善心脏舒张功能和病情有显著疗效。     

高血压并糖尿病患者左室舒张功能与靶器官损害的相关性

目的：评价高血压合并糖尿病患者左室舒张功能,观察其靶器官损害的改变及糖尿病对高血压患者左室舒张功能及靶器官的影响。方法：本研究人选190名原发性高血压患者,分为单纯高血压组（114例）及高血压合并糖尿病组（76例）。分析两组间左室舒张功能指标的差异,包括,二尖瓣舒张早期血流速度峰值（E）,二尖瓣舒张晚期血流速度峰值（A）,E／A,E峰下降时间（DT）,等容舒张期（IVRT）,室间隔二尖瓣环舒张早期血流速度峰值（Ea）、舒张晚期血流速度峰值（Aa）,Ea／Aa,E／Ea。同时检测颈总动脉内膜中层厚度（IMT）,颈动脉斑块,颈动脉-股动脉脉搏波速度（cf—PWV）,血清肌酐（Scr）,左室质量指数（LVMI）。结果：相关分析表明,E／Ea与收缩压（r=0．356,P〈0．001）,左房内径（r=0．238,P=0．001）,IMT（r=0．141,P=0．047）,cf—PWV（r=0．290,P〈0．001）,LVMI（r=0．346,P〈0．01）呈显著正相关。与单纯原发性高血压组比较,合并有糖尿病组的E／Ea明显升高[（12．37±3．21）比（13．73±3．34）,P=0．011],Ea明显下降[（5．42±1．42）cm／s比（4．99±1．05）cm／s,P=0．011],其它舒张功能指标E,A,E／A,DT,IVRT,Ea／Aa等均无显著差异。结论：E／Ea是反映左室舒张功能的良好指标,与高血压靶器官损害明显相关。在原发性高血压患者,糖尿病是加重左室舒张功能不全的重要因素。     

多普勒组织速度成像和实时三维超声心动图评价中晚期肝硬化患者左心室舒张功能的研究

目的探讨应用多普勒组织速度成像（TVI）及实时三维超声心动图（RT-3DE）技术定量评价中晚期肝硬化患者左心室舒张功能的临床应用价值。方法检测中晚期肝硬化患者32例，正常对照组20例，应用多普勒组织速度成像技术检测室间隔及侧壁的二尖瓣环舒张早期峰值速度（Ea），舒张晚期峰值速度（Aa），并计算Ea/Aa比值，将两个位置的平均值作为平均Ea，Aa和Ea/Aa值。应用实时三维超声心动图进行时间-容积曲线分析，测量左室舒张末容积（EDV）、收缩末容积（ESV）、左室射血分数（LVEF）和左室最大充盈速率（PFR）。结果肝硬化组平均Ea降低、平均Aa增高，Ea/Aa比值降低，与对照组比较差异有显著性意义（P〈0.05）。实时三维参数EDV、ESV、和LVEF两组间比较无显著性差异（P〉0.05），与对照组比较PFR明显降低，差异有显著性意义（P〈0.05）。结论肝硬化高动力循环状态下，多普勒组织速度成像及实时三维超声心动图可以对肝硬化患者左室舒张功能减低进行综合的评价，是简便、实用的检测方法。     

多普勒超声心动图4种检测方法评价左室舒张功能

目的　应用二尖瓣血流频谱、肺静脉血流频谱、彩色M型多普勒超声心动图 (CMM)和组织多普勒图像 (DTI)等 4种方法评价左室舒张功能 ,并对其结果进行比较。　 方法　使用 4种多普勒超声心动图方法测定的相应数值评价正常组 (3 0例 )、高血压组 (3 0例 )及心肌梗死组 (2 7例 )的左室舒张功能的情况。　 结果　 (1)二尖瓣血流频谱表明高血压组左室舒张功能异常表现为松弛减退 (E/A <1) ;(2 )心肌梗死组E/A值与正常组比较无明显差异 ,肺静脉舒张末逆流峰值 (AR)明显增大 ,CMM测定的舒张早期血流传导速度 (FPV)明显减小 ,DTI测定的负向舒张早期波 (Ea)及Ea与负向舒张晚期波 (Aa)的比值 (Ea/Aa)与其他 2组比较P均 <0 0 1。　 结论 　评价左室舒张功能异常时 ,二尖瓣血流频谱能及早发现松弛减退 ,在可能存在假性正常时 ,综合应用AR、FPV、Ea、Ea/Aa可予以识别。考虑到经胸途径检查肺静脉往往比较困难且费时较多 ,而FPV、Ea、Ea/Aa测定简便易行 ,是综合评价左室舒张功能的有用指标。     

DTI技术评价卡维地洛对高血压左室舒张功能的影响

目的 评价卡维地洛对高血压左室舒张功能（LVDF）的影响。方法 采用多普勒组织成像（DTI）技术分析正常人和轻中度高血压左室肥厚组（LVH组）和非左室肥厚组（非LVH组）患者的二尖瓣环的舒张早期，晚期运动速率（Ea,Aa)，并与血流多普勒法检测的二尖瓣口舒张早期，晚期最大速度（E，A）比较，对E／A和Ea/As均＜1者给予卡维地洛（10－20mg／日）治疗12周，观察降压疗效及LVDF的变化。结果 1．高血压组Ea,Ea/As,E,E/A较正常组明显降低，A值明显升高（P＜0．01），而Aa值二组间无差异。EA,Ea/As在LVH组比非LVH组进一步降低（P＜0．05），而E，E／A二组间无差异（P＞0．05）。2 卡维地洛作用 用药12周后，SBP，DBP明显降低（P＜0．01），心率无明显变化。Ea,Ea/As及E，E／A升高，非LVH组A值降低（P＜0．05），LVH组A值无明显变化。结论 DTI技术可较血流多普勒法更敏感准确地反映严重LVDF受损患者的左室舒张功能。卡维地洛对轻中工高血压病具有良好降压作用并能改善左室舒张功能。     

青年频发右室流出道室性早搏对左室舒张功能的影响

目的研究青年频发右室流出道室性早搏对左室舒张功能的影响。方法前瞻性选择2018—2019年于北京大学第三医院延庆医院就诊的有心悸、乏力、呼吸困难等临床症状、心脏结构及收缩功能正常、24 h动态心电图显示频发右室流出道室性早搏(≥1 000次/24 h)的50例青年患者作为室性早搏组,50名青年健康受试者为对照组。静态和24 h心电图作为频发右室流出道室性早搏的诊断方法,采用超声心动图脉冲多普勒及多普勒组织成像模式测量左室舒张功能指标,并进行相关影响因素与多普勒指标间的相关性分析,采用logistic逐步回归分析筛选出影响左室舒张功能的危险因素。结果与对照组比较,室性早搏组E峰减速时间较长[(203.2±22.9) ms比(192.4±16.1)ms,t=-2.730,P=0.008],二尖瓣环舒张早期运动峰值速度(Ea)较低[(10.3±2.8) cm/s比(11.9±2.9)cm/s,t=0.748,P=0.010],二尖瓣环舒张早期血流峰值速度(E)与Ea的比值(E/Ea)较高(6.6±0.8比6.0±0.4,t=-0.775,P=0.002),差异均有统计学意义;室性早搏组Ea与舒张晚期运动峰值速度(Aa)的比值(Ea/Aa)较低(1.02±0.33比1.11±0.30,t=1.466,P=0.146),但差异无统计学意义;两组间二尖瓣环收缩期运动峰值速度(Sa)未见统计学差异。相关性分析发现,24 h室性早搏总搏数与Ea(R=-0.686)和Ea/Aa(R=-0.654)呈负相关,与Aa呈正相关(R=0.431)。进一步行logistic逐步回归分析发现,频发右室流出道室性早搏[Exp(B)=2.070,P=0.002]是左室舒张功能减退的危险因素之一,即频发室性早搏患者发生左室舒张功能减退的危险是健康受试者的2.07倍。结论频发(≥1 000次/24 h)的右室流出道室性早搏可导致青年左室舒张功能下降。     

DTI技术评价卡维地洛对高血压左室舒张功能的影响

目的评价卡维地洛对高血压左室舒张功能(LVDF)的影响.方法采用多普勒组织成像(DTI)技术分析正常人和轻中度高血压左室肥厚组(LVH组)和非左室肥厚组(非LVH组)患者的二尖瓣环的舒张早期、晚期运动速度(Ea、Aa),并与血流多普勒法检测的二尖瓣口舒张早期、晚期最大速度(E、A)比较,对 E/A和 Ea/Aa均<1者给予卡维地洛(10～20 mg/日)治疗12周,观察降压疗效及LVDF的变化.结果 1.高血压组Ea、Ea/Aa,E、E/A较正常组明显降低,A值明显升高(P<0.01),而Aa值二组间无差异.Ea、Ea/Aa在LVH组比非LVH组进一步降低(P<0.05),而E、E/A二组间无差异(P>0.05).2 卡维地洛作用用药12周后,SBP、DBP明显降低(P<0.01),心率无明显变化.Ea,Ea/Aa及E, E/A升高,非LVH组A值降低(P<0.05), LVH组A值无明显变化.结论 DTI技术可较血流多普勒法更敏感准确地反映严重LVDF受损患者的左室舒张功能.卡维地洛对轻中度高血压病具有良好降压作用并能改善左室舒张功能.     

多普勒组织成像与脉冲多普勒方法对比评价高血压患者舒张功能

目的应用脉冲多普勒组织成像测量二尖瓣环平均舒张速度,以鉴别高血压患者舒张功能假性正常。方法在健康者(正常组200例)与高血压患者(高血压组47例)中,应用脉冲多普勒技术分别测量二尖瓣口舒张早期峰值速度(E)、舒张晚期峰值速度(A),肺静脉收缩波(S)、舒张波(D)及心房收缩波(Ar)。应用脉冲多普勒组织成像测量二尖瓣环各点舒张早期峰值速率(Ea)、舒张晚期峰值速率(Aa)。结果正常组与对照组患者二尖瓣E、A、E/A差异无显著性意义,肺静脉S、S/D、Ar差异有显著性意义,二尖瓣环平均Ea间差异有显著性意义,Aa间差异无显著性意义。结论二尖瓣环舒张早期速率可用于鉴别高血压舒张功能假性正常。     

超声心动图在左室舒张性心力衰竭患者左心形态及舒张功能评估中的价值

目的探讨左室舒张性心力衰竭(DHF)的左心形态及舒张功能超声心动图的临床评价。方法 DHF组60例,健康体检60例为对照组,比较两组超声心动图测量左房内径(LAD)、左室内径(LVD)、舒张期室间隔厚度(IVST)、左室后壁厚度(PWT)、左室射血分数(LVEF)、心脏指数(CI)、舒张早期流速峰值(E)、血流速度(Ar、Vp)、二尖瓣瓣环舒张早晚期速度比(Ea/Aa)、E/Ea及心室收缩期与舒张期正向波峰速比(S/D)。结果与对照组比较,DHF组LAD、IVST、PWT、E/Ea及Ar均增加,Ea/Aa、Vp及S/D均减小(均P0.05)。结论超声心动图可以判断左室舒张功能是否正常,是目前诊断左室DHE的最佳办法。     

急诊血运重建对急性心肌梗死左心室功能的影响

目的应用二维超声心动图及多普勒组织成像（Doppler tissue imaging，DTI）评价急诊血运重建（包括静脉溶栓或者急诊冠状动脉支架置入术）对急性心肌梗死（acute myocardial infarction，AMI）左心室收缩和舒张功能的影响。方法入院后根据AMI患者治疗方法分为常规组和治疗组。常规组30例给予内科常规治疗；治疗组20例在内科常规治疗基础上实施静脉溶栓或急诊冠状动脉支架置入术。应用DTI检测左心室射血分数、二尖瓣血流舒张早期流速峰值（peak velocity at early diastole，VE）和舒张晚期流速峰值（peak velocity at late diastole，VA）比值（VE／VA），DTI成像模式检测二尖瓣环后间隔、侧壁、前壁、下壁、前间隔和后壁6个节段的收缩期运动速度峰值（peak velocity during systole，Sa）、舒张早期运动速度峰值（peak velocity at early diastole，Ea）和心房收缩期流速峰值（peak velocitv at atrial contraction，Aa），并计算Ea／Aa比值。各取6个节段的平均值。结果所有AMI患者于发病后1周、3月末左心室射血分数、VE／VA、Sa、Ea和Ea／Aa均较对照组降低；予急诊血运重建的AMI患者于AMI发病后3个月S。和E。较本组发病后1周增高，并较未行急诊血运重建干预组（常规组）发病后3个月增高。结论AMI后左心室收缩和舒张功能受损，实施急诊血运重建可以有效改善心脏功能．应用DTI技术检测二尖瓣环运动速度可以精确反映AMI患者局部节段性心功能的恢复。     

胺碘酮对于急性心梗后室性早搏的临床疗效及对心功能的影响

目的:观察胺碘酮对急性心肌梗死(AMI)后室性早搏的疗效及对患者心功能的影响。方法:选择本院的94例AMI后室性早搏患者,患者被分为常规治疗组(给予常规利多卡因治疗),胺碘酮组(在常规治疗组的基础上给予胺碘酮治疗);治疗14d后,对比两组患者的疗效,观察两组患者治疗前后心功能等指标的情况及治疗后不良反应率。结果:胺碘酮组治疗总有效率显著高于常规治疗组(97.87%比74.47%,P=0.001)。治疗后,与常规治疗组比较,胺碘酮组左室射血分数(LVEF)[(0.49±0.06)比(0.64±0.07)]、左室短轴缩短率(LVFS)[(0.43±0.05)比(0.57±0.06)]、二尖瓣舒张早期峰值流速与晚期峰值流速的比值E/A[(0.88±0.07)比(0.98±0.11)]均显著提高,心室率[(128.47±15.34)次/min比(86.49±14.96)次/min]、QTc离散度[(49.51±11.96)ms比(41.09±11.73)ms]、室性早搏次数[(21.05±6.91)次/h比(12.07±5.47)次/h]均显著下降,P均=0.001。两组不良反应率无统计学差异(P=0.064)。结论:胺碘酮结合利多卡因治疗急性心梗后室性早搏疗效显著,可显著降低心率,改善心功能,且用药安全。     

Tissue Doppler imaging adds incremental value in predicting exercise capacity in patients with congestive heart failure

Left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic parameters derived from Doppler echocardiography have been used widely to predict functional capacity but diastolic filling is affected by various factors. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) that records systolic and diastolic velocities within the myocardium and at the corners of the mitral annulus, has been shown to provide additional information about regional and global LV function. The goal of this study was to examine whether TDI-derived parameters add incremental value to other standard Doppler echocardiographic measurements in predicting exercise capacity. The study enrolled 59 consecutive patients with stable congestive heart failure (CHF). The etiology of heart failure was coronary artery disease in 42 patients and dilated cardiomyopathy in 17. Twenty-three age-matched healthy subjects were recruited as controls. Conventional echocardiographs and TDI were obtained. Early (Ea) and late (Aa) diastolic and systolic (Sa) mitral annulus velocities, the Ea/Aa and E/Ea ratios, were measured by pulsed wave TDI placed at the septal side of the mitral annulus and results were compared with results of cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Systolic and early diastolic velocities of mitral annulus were decreased and the E/Ea ratio was increased in the restrictive group as compared to controls (P = 0.02, P = 0.03, P < 0.001, respectively) but there was no significant difference in late diastolic velocity and the Ea/Aa ratio between the restrictive group and controls. The average peak VO₂ of the patients were 14.9 ± 4.9 ml/min per kg. Achieved peak VO₂ of the patients with E/Ea ratio ≤7.5 was 17.4 ± 5 vs 12.2 ± 3 ml/min per kg for those with E/Ea >7.5 (P < 0.001). Interestingly, the patients with the nonrestrictive pattern and E/Ea ratio >7.5 had reduced exercise capacity, as did the group with restrictive LV filling patterns (12.8 ± 3.3 vs 12.9 ± 4.0 ml/min per kg, P = 0.9). Similarly, there was no significant difference in the mean exercise capacity between the patients with a nonrestrictive pattern vs restrictive pattern with E/Ea ratio ≤7.5 (16.1 ± 5.0 vs 15.4 ± 5.1 ml/min per kg, P = 0.78). Univariate analysis demonstrated that the peak Sa (r = 0.30, P = 0.03), peak Ea (r = 0.38, P = 0.004) and peak Aa (r = 0.35, P = 0.009) correlated significantly with maximum exercise capacity. No relationship was observed between the Ea/Aa ratio and peak VO₂ (r = −0.09, P = 0.48). By multivariate analysis, including age and heart rate, the E/Ea ratio was found to be an independent prognostic factor at peak VO₂ (P < 0.001. In contrast, the comparison of the maximum transmitral early diastolic velocity and the mitral annulus TDI velocity, that is E/Ea ratio, had strong correlation with peak VO₂ (r = −0.46, P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed for prediction of limited exercise capacity from the E/Ea ratio. An E/Ea ratio ≤7.5 was able to predict peak VO₂ ≤14 ml/min per kg with a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 74%. If restrictive pattern or an E/Ea ratio >7.5 was used, 21 out of 24 patients in the reduced exercise capacity group were identified with 16 false positives in the preserved exercise capacity group (P = 0.001). Mitral annular systolic and diastolic velocities of TDI were associated with cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in patients with LV systolic dysfunction. Index of the E/Ea ratio was found to be the most powerful predictor of peak oxygen uptake.     

环磷腺苷联合参麦注射液治疗老年冠心病慢性心力衰竭的疗效

目的：观察环磷腺苷联合参麦注射液治疗老年冠心病慢性心力衰竭（CHF）的临床疗效。方法：老年冠心病CHF患者126例,随机分为常规治疗组62例,给予常规抗心衰治疗;观察组64例,在常规治疗的基础上静脉滴注环磷腺苷及参麦注射液14d。观察两组治疗前后血浆脑钠肽（BNP）水平、左室射血分数（LVEF）,舒张早期／晚期最大血流速度比值（E／A）等指标的变化及临床疗效。结果：治疗后,两组各指标（常规治疗组除E／A外）均有明显改善（P均〈0．01）,与常规治疗组比较,观察组总有效率明显提高（77．42％比89．06％,P〈0．01）;LVEVF（44．51±7．85）％比（58．35±7．80）％],E／A值[（0．69±0．35）比（0．88±0．36）]明显改善,BNP浓度明显下降[（558．20±79．30）ng／L比（437．10±67．90）ng／L],6min步行距离明显提高[（526．70±12．00）m比（629．20±12．20）m],P均〈0．01。结论：环磷腺苷联合参麦注射液治疗老年冠心病慢性心力衰竭安全、有效。     

负荷剂量替格瑞洛对于急性心梗PCI后血清炎性因子、心肌酶与冠脉血流的影响

目的:观察负荷剂量替格瑞洛对PCI治疗的AMI患者血清炎性因子、心肌酶与冠脉血流的影响。方法:选择在本院接受PCI治疗的96例AMI患者为研究对象,分为替格瑞洛常规剂量组(48例,90mg/单次)和替格瑞洛负荷剂量组(48例,180mg/单次);观察入院即刻与PCI后24h两组患者的血清炎性因子、心肌酶指标、冠脉血流指标的变化,对比两组患者PCI治疗24h血小板抑制率与安全性指标。结果:PCI后24h,与常规剂量组比较,负荷剂量组患者血清降钙素原[(1.84±0.22)μg/L比(1.75±0.13)μg/L]、白介素6[(3.52±0.29)pg/ml比(3.38±0.21)pg/ml]、C反应蛋白[(7.85±1.29)mg/L比(7.09±0.98)mg/L]和肌酸激酶[(97.31±10.72)U/L比(93.12±10.05)U/L]、肌酸激酶-同工酶[(25.73±3.87)U/L比(23.61±3.28)U/L]、心肌肌钙蛋白(cTn)I[(79.46±10.25)μg/L比(74.51±9.83)μg/L]、cTnT[(1.91±0.21)μg/L比(1.79±0.15)μg/L]水平均显著降低,左前降支收缩期血流峰值(SPV)[(13.45±1.69)cm/s比(14.26±1.76)cm/s]、左前降支舒张期血流峰值(DPV)[(28.91±3.29)cm/s比(30.76±3.94)cm/s]、冠脉血流储备(CFVR)[(2.81±0.31)比(2.98±0.39)]及血小板抑制率[(60.46±14.98)%比(67.82±15.64)%]均显著提高,P<0.05或<0.01;PCI后30d内,负荷剂量组缺血事件显著低于常规剂量组(6.25%比20.83%,P=0.034),两组出血事件无显著差异(P=1.000)。结论:负荷剂量替格瑞洛可显著降低急性心梗患者PCI后的血清炎性因子水平、改善冠脉血流与心肌酶指标,并可在不加大出血事件风险的前提下提高血小板抑制率。     

长期小剂量螺内酯治疗对收缩功能中间型心力衰竭的临床疗效

目的:研究长期小剂量螺内酯治疗对收缩功能中间型心力衰竭(HFmrEF)的疗效。方法:100例HFmrEF患者被随机均分为常规治疗组(接受慢性心力衰竭标准治疗)和螺内酯组(在常规治疗组基础上加用小剂量螺内酯),两组均治疗随访2年。观察比较两组治疗前后血压、心率(HR)、血脂、空腹血糖(FBG)、血肌酐(SCr)、血钾(K+)、血浆脑钠肽(BNP)、NYHA分级、舒张功能分级和LVEF,治疗1年后的主要不良心血管事件(MACE)和次要终点事件发生率,以及不良反应情况。结果:与治疗前比较,治疗1年后两组SBP、DBP、HR、血浆TC、LDL-C、FBG、BNP水平、NYHA分级和舒张功能分级均显著降低,LVEF和螺内酯组K+水平显著升高,P均<0.01;与常规治疗组比较,治疗1年后螺内酯组HR[(67.6±6.9)次/min比(61.1±5.5)次/min]、血浆LDL-C[(3.5±0.8)mmol/L比(2.8±0.6)mmol/L]、BNP水平[(491.4±295.5)ng/L比(360.5±226.6)ng/L]、NYHA分级[(2.0±0.7)级比(1.4±0.5)级]和舒张功能分级[(2.2±0.7)级比(1.4±0.5)级]降低更显著,K+水平[(4.2±0.7)mmol/L比(4.9±1.4)mmol/L]和LVEF[(46.1±3.8)%比(47.9±4.1)%]升高更显著,P<0.05或<0.01。治疗1年后,螺内酯组MACE发生率(26.0%比86.0%)和心衰住院率(14.0%比66.0%)均显著低于常规治疗组,P均=0.001。结论:在慢性心力衰竭标准治疗基础上施加小剂量螺内酯可显著提高HFmrEF患者的心功能、降低MACE的发生率,从而降低心衰患者后期住院率。     

Evaluation of left ventricular diastolic functions in patients with frequent premature ventricular contractions from right ventricular outflow tract

This study was sought to examine the effects of repetitive monomorphic premature ventricular contractions (PVCs) on left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. Thirty-three symptomatic patients (Study group, 10 males, mean age 40 ± 8 years) with normal LV systolic function and repetitive PVCs originating from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT-PVCs) on 24-h Holter monitoring, and 30 healthy controls (Control group, 9 males, mean age 37 ± 9 years) were enrolled in the study. None of the patients had structural heart disease. Diastolic function was assessed by echocardiographic mitral inflow pattern and tissue Doppler imaging. The study group displayed a lower E/A ratio, longer isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT), and longer E-wave deceleration time (EDT). In the study group 13 patients showed impaired relaxation. While mean values of the systolic velocity (Sa), early diastolic velocity (Ea), and early/late diastolic velocity (Ea/Aa) ratio were significantly lower in the study group, the Aa velocity and E/Ea ratio were significantly higher. Ea velocity was <10 cm/s in 7 study patients. Mitral inflow pattern and Ea velocity was normal in all controls. Significant correlations were found between ventricular premature beats percentage and early to late transmitral flow velocity ratio, EDT, IVRT, Ea velocity, the Ea/Aa ratio, and the E/Ea ratio. In multivariate analysis, total PVC count and age were found to be independent predictors of impaired relaxation. These results suggest that repetitive monomorphic RVOT-PVCs lead to abnormalities of LV diastolic function that may contribute to clinical symptoms in patients with structurally normal hearts.     

Doppler tissue imaging of the mitral annulus in patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction. Assessment of diastolic function

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: We assessed the Doppler tissue imaging technique in the left mitral annulus of patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction since the technique has been used to evaluate diastolic function of the left ventricle and the values obtained have been considered to be relatively independent of the preload. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients (n = 46) with an ejection fraction < 40% in sinus rhythm without mitral regurgitation underwent pulsed wave Doppler analyses of mitral inflow (E and A waves), pulmonary venous flow (S, D and Ar waves) and Doppler tissue imaging of the mitral annulus (Ea and Aa waves). RESULTS: Overall, the linear correlations between the different Doppler measurements were poor. When sub-grouped with respect to E/A < 1 and E/A >= 1 (Groups 1 and 2, respectively), the Ea value did not significantly differ between the two groups: 5.0 cm/s (4.2/6.0) vs 6.2 cm/s (5.5/8. 2) respectively; p = 0.129 and neither did the E/Ea quotient: 10.2 (8.2/14.5) vs 12.9 (9.1/17.4) respectively; p = 0.160. Atrial size was significantly greater in Group 2: 20.0 cm2 (18.0/22.0) vs 25.0 cm2 (20.0/29.0) respectively; p = 0.000. The Ea/Aa quotient was pseudo-normalized in Group 2: 0.65 (0.48/0.83) vs 1.15 (0.75/1.71) respectively; p = 0.001. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with left ventricular systolic dysfunction the Ea/Aa value tends towards pseudo-normalization when the preload is increased. This does not apply to the values of Ea, E/Ea or to size of the left atrium. Therefore, Doppler tissue imaging of the left mitral annulus is valuable in the assessment of left ventricular dysfunction and the problem of pseudo-normalization due to preloading.     

Detection of early diastolic alterations by Tissue Doppler Imaging in untreated childhood-onset essential hypertension

The aim of the study was to determine the presence of preclinical diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive children relative to normotensive children by Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI). We prospectively enrolled children with untreated essential hypertension in absence of any other disease and a matched healthy control group with normal blood pressure (BP); both groups confirmed by clinic BP and a 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring. Echocardiographic diastolic parameters were determined using spectral transmitral inflow Doppler, flow propagation velocity, TDI, and systolic parameters were determined via midwall shortening fraction and ejection fraction. A total of 80 multiethnic children were prospectively enrolled for the study: 46 hypertensive (median age, 13 years; 72% males) and 34 control (median age, 14 years; 65% males). The only echocardiography parameters that had a statistically significant change compared with the control children, were regional mitral Ea, Aa, and the E/Ea ratio by TDI. In comparison with controls, hypertensive children had lower Ea and Aa velocities of anterior and posterior walls and higher lateral wall E/Ea ratio. The decrease in posterior wall Ea and Aa remained significant after adjustment for gender, age, body mass index, ethnicity, and left ventricular hypertrophy on multivariate analysis. The lateral and septal wall E/Ea ratios correlated significantly with fasting serum insulin levels on similar multivariate analysis. Decreased regional TDI velocities were seen with preserved left ventricular systolic function even when other measures of diastolic dysfunction remained unchanged in untreated hypertensive children. Hypertension and serum insulin levels had strong associations with preclinical diastolic alterations in children.