Pulsed Doppler Tissue Imaging for Assessment of Left Ventricular Systolic and Diastolic Synchronicity in Normal Subjects

Objectives To quantitatively analyze the longitudinal myocardial systolic and diastolic velocities and time intervals of the left ventricle in normal subjects, and to explore the value of pulsed Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) for the assessment of left ventricular systolic and diastolic synchronicity. Methods Twenty and six healthy subjects were studied by pulsed DTI. The septal and lateral, anterior and inferior walls of the left ventricle were displayed respectively, and basal and middle segments of each wall were selected for myocardial motion spectrum sampling. DTI parameters were; peak systolic myocardial velocity (s) , regional pre-ejection period (PEP), time to the peak of s wave (Ts), regional ejection time (ET); peak early diastolic velocity (e), peak late diastolic velocity (a), e/a ratio, time to the beginning of e wave (QE), time to the peak of e wave (Te) and regional isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT). Results The e and e/a were significantly different among basal segments, and s and e/a were significantly different among middle segments, with the highest value in lateral segments and the lowest value in septal segments. The s, e and a were all significandy higher in basal segments than middle segments. None of the systolic time intervals (PEP, Ts and ET) and diastolic time intervals (QE, Te and IVRT) were significantly different among basal segments and middle segments, neither were they when basal segment was compared with middle segment. Conclusions In normal subjects, the longitudinal myocardial systolic and diastolic velocities of the left ventricle are not homogeneous, but the contraction and relaxation are highly synchronized. Pulsed DTI can be used to quantitatively analyze the systolic and diastolic synchronicity of the heart.     

Tissue Doppler to Assess Diastolic Left Ventricular Function

Doppler indices of left ventricular (LV) filling have been used traditionally for the assessment of LV diastolic function. In many circumstances, however, the interpretation of these indices is difficult because they respond to alterations of different physiological variables such as preload, relaxation, and heart rate. A typical example of their limitation is seen in patients with abnormal LV relaxation and increased preload compensation, who often present a "pseudonormal" LV filling pattern. Thus, there is a need for noninvasive indices of diastolic function capable of discriminating the effects of relaxation and preload. Tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE) is available in most modern cardiac ultrasound imaging systems. TDE can be used to obtain regional myocardial velocities during isovolumic relaxation, early filling, and atrial systole with high spatial and temporal resolution. This article discusses the complementary role, limitations, and future challenges of TDE in the study of diastolic function.     

Doppler Echocardiographic Analysis of Left Ventricular Diastolic Blood Flow

We analyzed the diastolic flow pattern in the left ventricle by means of pulsed Doppler echocardiography in 150 consecutive patients (51 ± 14 years old) with various cardiac conditions. The flow pattern typical of the left ventricular inflow tract (E and A) was duplicated in the outflow tract and on the lateral wall in the form of a reversed biphasic pattern (E* and A*) extended into the phase ofisovolumic contraction. E* was delayed by 72 ± 44 msec compared to E, A* was only delayed by 47 ± 31 msec compared to A (a significant difference in the delays, P < 0.0001). In patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (n= 23), the delay of E* compared to E was greater than in normal subjects (n= 60) (91 ± 52 as compared to 66 ± 37 msec; P < 0.01). In three patients with constrictive pericarditis, the delay A/A* was greater than the delay E/E*, in contrast to the situation in normal subjects and patients with left ventricular hypertrophy. During isovolumic relaxation, acceleration of flow toward the apex was found near the septum in 77% of the patients. In 20 patients, an intraobserver, interob-server, cycle-to-cycle, technician-to-technician, and day-to-day test of the variability of 19 Doppler parameters was carried out. In general, the largest differences were shown in the day-to-day and the technician-to-technician testing. Of the inflow tract measurements, V_maxE and V_max A and their time-velocity integrals were readily reproducible. The reproducibility of acceleration and deceleration slope measurement was not so good. In the outflow tract, V_maxE*, the time-velocity integral of E* and the delay between A and A* were well reproducible. No sources of variability specific to individual patients were shown for the flow during the isovolumic relaxation phase, but there were significant differences in the technician-to-technician and interobserver variability testing. Thus, information on diastolic flow behavior in the left ventricle may be obtained by Doppler echocardiography. This provides more information than that obtainable by analysis of the inflow profile alone. The addition of these parameters to analysis of transmural flow patterns might allow enhanced appraisal of abnormalities not only in muscular relaxation but also in chamber compliance. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY, Volume 8, September 1991)     

多普勒组织显像技术评价左室舒张功能的研究进展

左室舒张功能障碍在心血管疾病中很常见,二尖瓣血流频谱是评价左室舒张功能障碍的经典方法,但存在不足。多普勒组织显像技术是一项应用多普勒原理分析心肌组织运动的新技术,包括心肌速度显像、定量组织速度显像、组织追踪以及应变/应变率,这些方法为评价左室舒张功能提供更多、更有益的信息。     

彩色M型多普勒超声评价高血压病人的左室舒张功能

目的 应用彩色M型多普勒超声心动图测量舒张早期左室内血流传播速度(vp)，评价高血压病人的左室舒张功能。方法 高血压组195例(50岁以下者23例；50—70岁者101例；70岁以上者71例)。正常对照组136例(如岁以下者53例；50—70岁者50例；70岁以上者33例)。取心尖四腔或二腔心平面测量左室内血流传播速度(Vp)，二尖瓣和肺静脉血流曲线。结果 高血压病人的Vp值较正常人降低(P＜0．01)，血流形态异常。结论 应用彩色M型多普勒超声心动图测量舒张早期左室内血流传播速度，不受心脏负荷及年龄的影响，作为评价高血压病人左室舒张功能的指标有临床意义。     

Automatic Border Detection for Assessment of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function Among Normal Neonates: Comparison with Doppler Echocardiography

Doppler echocardiography is the standard noninvasive method to assess left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. Recently, automatic border detection (ABD), a method based on analysis of integrated ultrasonic backscatter, has been introduced permitting real-time, on-line assessment of LV diastolic function. A comparison of these methods in normal, full-term neonates has not been performed. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to evaluate the usefulness of ABD in the assessment of LV diastolic function among normal neonates, to compare parameters obtained with the ABD method with standard Doppler-derived indexes of diastolic function, and to assess the reproducibility of ABD measurements. We studied 17 consecutive normal neonates during natural sleep with both methods shortly after birth (mean 17.4 ± 3.9 h) and approximately 2 weeks later (mean 14.8 ± 2.2 days). An average of five consecutive cardiac cycles were performed. Similar to Doppler indexes, no significant change in any ABD parameter of diastolic function occurred between the early and later studies. A complete ABD study could be performed within 5 minutes. Mean interobserver variation for individual ABD measurements ranged from 0% to 11%. Compared with Doppler, rapid filling fraction was greater and atrial filling fraction was less with ABD. Regression analysis showed poor correlation of these parameters between methods, but their ratio by each method remained constant between studies. A similar poor correlation existed between peak E wave velocity by Doppler and peak rapid filling rate by ABD and between peak A wave velocity by Doppler and peak atrial filling rate by ABD. These differences may be explained by technical factors and different aspects of diastolic filling assessed by each method. This study indicated that ABD was a feasible and reproducible method compared with Doppler echocardiography for serial evaluation of LV diastolic function among neonates.     

Regional Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction Evaluated by Pulsed-Tissue Doppler Echocardiography

Pulsed-wave Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) allows the examination of regional wall motion at a very high temporal resolution and therefore constitutes an excellent technique for assessing diastolic motion of left ventricular walls. Regional relaxation has been well characterized in normal subjects using this technique, and physiological time intervals and motion wave profiles are described. In an experimental model of acute ischemia, local relaxation impairment was observed showing highly characteristic local diastolic abnormalities. Interestingly, these findings took place before any decrease in systolic motion was recordable. In a prospective clinical study, noninvasive regional DTI parameters were compared with coronary angiography to assess the feasibility and clinical value of the technique; the diagnostic accuracy is discussed in detail. Also, the association between regional diastolic parameters and global regional function as assessed by Doppler analysis of transmitral left ventricular filling flow was studied, stressing the impact of regional diastolic function on overall ventricular performance. Finally, the diagnostic role of pulsed-wave DTI on stress testing, identification of myocardial viability, and microvascular angina is reviewed.     

心肌组织多普勒成像技术评估左心室肥厚对左心室运动舒张协调性的影响

目的:评价左心室肥厚对左心室运动舒张协调性和功能的影响。方法:正常对照组18例、高血压性心脏病患者18例(组1)和肥厚型心肌病患者(组2)16例。应用组织多普勒成像技术测量左心室舒张期电机械运动的时间离散度(DTA2-e)、室间隔和左心室侧壁6个位点处心肌舒张早期和舒张晚期峰值速率(Ve、Va)。结果:与正常对照组相比,组1和组2左心室舒张期电机械运动时间离散度延长和Ve值降低(P<0．05);组2较组1 1／4位点、1／2位点处也有显著性差别(P<0．05)。结论:高血压性心脏病和肥厚型心肌病均有左心室运动舒张协调障碍和局部舒张功能下降,且以肥厚型心肌病尤为明显。     

Reference Values of Tissue Doppler Imaging and Pulsed Doppler Echocardiography for Analysis of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function in Healthy Adults

To determine reference values for tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and pulsed Doppler echocardiography for left ventricular diastolic function analysis in a healthy Brazilian adult population. Observations were based on a randomly selected healthy population from the city of Vitória, Espírito Santo, Brazil. Healthy volunteers (n = 275, 61.7% women) without prior histories of cardiovascular disease underwent transthoracic echocardiography. We analyzed 175 individuals by TDI and evaluated mitral annulus E′‐ and A′‐waves from the septum (S) and lateral wall (L) to calculate E′/A′ ratios. Using pulsed Doppler echocardiography, we further analyzed the mitral E‐ and A‐waves, E/A ratios, isovolumetric relaxation times (IRTs), and deceleration times (DTs) of 275 individuals. Pulsed Doppler mitral inflow mean values for men were as follows: E‐wave: 71 ± 16 cm/sec, A‐wave: 68 ± 15 cm/sec, IRT: 74.8 ± 9.2 ms, DT: 206 ± 32.3 ms, E/A ratio: 1.1 ± 0.3. Pulsed Doppler mitral inflow mean values for women were as follows: E‐wave: 76 ± 17, A‐wave: 69 ± 14 cm/sec, IRT: 71.2 ± 10.5 ms, DT: 197 ± 33.3 ms, E/A ratio: 1.1 ± 0.3. IRT and DT values were higher in men than in women (P = 0.04 and P = 0.007, respectively). TDI values in men were as follows: E′S: 11± 3 cm/sec, A′S: 13 ± 2 cm/sec, E′S/A′S: 0.89 ± 0.2, E′L: 14 ± 3 cm/sec, A′L: 14 ± 2 cm/sec, E′L/A′L: 1.1± 0.4. E‐wave/ E′S ratio: 6.9 ± 2.2; E‐wave / E′L ratio: 4.9 ± 1.7. In this study, we determined pulsed Doppler and TDI derived parameters for left ventricular diastolic function in a large sample of healthy Brazilian adults. (Echocardiography 2010;27:777‐782)     

Left Atrial Systolic Performance in the Presence of Elevated Left Ventricular End-Diastolic Pressure: Evaluation by Transesophageal Pulsed Doppler Echocardiography of Left Ventricular Inflow and Pulmonary Venous Flow Velocities

We recorded left ventricular inflow (LVIF) and pulmonary venous flow (PVF) velocities by transesophageal pulsed Doppler echocardiography in 25 patients with a ratio of peak atrial systolic to early diastolic LVIF velocity of <1 and a left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) of 15 mmHg or greater, as well as in 30 normal subjects. The group consisted of 14 patients with prior myocardial infarction, 7 with dilated cardiomyopathy, and 4 with cardiac amyloidosis, and were divided into: (1) group A (n = 7): peak atrial systolic LVIF velocity of 40 cm/sec or greater; (2) group B (n = 7): peak atrial systolic LVIF velocity of <40 cm/sec and peak atrial systolic PVF velocity of 30 cm/sec or greater; and (3) group C (n = 11): peak atrial systolic LVIF velocity of <40 cm/sec and peak atrial systolic PVF velocity of <30 cm/sec. Although LVEDPs in groups B and C were significantly greater than in group A, there was no difference between groups B and C. The mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (mPCWP) in group C was significantly greater than in groups A and B, but there was no difference between groups A and B. The difference between LVEDP and mPCWP (LVEDP - mPCWP) in group B was significantly higher than in groups A and C. Dilatation of the left atrium (LA) was seen in all three groups, particularly in groups B and C. There were no differences in peak atrial systolic LVIF velocity and LA volume change during atrial contraction between group A and the control group, and there were no differences in LA volume change and peak second systolic PVF velocity between groups A and B. LA volume change and peak second systolic PVF velocity were significantly less in group C than in groups A and B. Among the four patients whose courses could be observed after medical treatment with diuretic and vasodilator, one changed from group B to A, one from group B to C, one from group C to A, and one remained in group C. Thus, recording of peak atrial systolic LVIF and PVF by transesophageal pulsed Doppler echocardiography permits detailed evaluation of LA systolic performance in the presence of elevated LVEDP. These two variables provide important information for less invasive differentiation of LA afterload mismatch from LA myocardial failure.     

多普勒组织成像对正常人左心室收缩功能的分析

目的 :应用多普勒组织成像脉冲技术评价正常人左心室整体收缩功能。研究二尖瓣环舒缩速度与左心室整体收缩功能间的相关性 ,以及观察二尖瓣环舒缩速度与左心室射血分数间是否存在直线回归关系。方法 :转换多普勒组织成像速度模式 ,取心尖四腔心、二腔心、心尖左心室长轴切面 ,分别测量二尖瓣环后间隔、侧壁、前壁、下壁、前间隔及后壁的舒张早期峰值速度 (E)、舒张晚期峰值速度 (A)、收缩期峰值速度 (S)。应用改良Simpson法测量左心室射血分数。结果 :左心室射血分数与二尖瓣环前间隔S、E与肺静脉D波比值 (E/D) ,后间隔S ,前壁与后壁的E/D存在直线相关关系。结论 :多普勒组织成像测量二尖瓣环舒缩速度可反映左心室整体收缩功能。并且发现左心室收缩功能不仅与二尖瓣环收缩速度有关 ,而且与舒张速度也相关。二尖瓣环前间隔是反映这一现象的最好位点。     

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.     

Tissue Doppler Combined with Pulsed‐Wave Doppler Echocardiography for Evaluating Ventricular Diastolic Function in Normal Children

Background: The ratio of the peak transmitral velocity during early diastole (E) to the peak mitral valve annular velocity during early diastole (E′) obtained by tissue Doppler imaging correlates with the left ventricular end‐diastolic pressure in adults. However, the E/E′ ratio has not been established in normal children. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of age on the various tissue Doppler indices of ventricular diastolic function. Methods: The subjects in this study included 174 children with normal cardiac function. The left and right ventricular inflow velocities were recorded, and the peak of late diastolic flow velocities (A), E, and the ratio of E/A were determined. The following tissue Doppler indices were obtained: peak velocities of early and late diastolic mitral annulus in the left ventricular lateral wall (E’l and A’l) and in the interventricular septum (E’se and A’se) and those of the lateral tricuspid annulus in the right ventricle, E’r and A’r. Results: The E’l and the E’se increased with age up to 5 years after birth, after which they became constant. The E’r was constant after birth. The E’l/A’l and E’se/A’se increased with age up to 5 years after birth, after which they became constant. The E’r/A’r was constant after birth. The Em/E’se and Em/E’l decreased with age up to 5 years after birth, after which they became constant. The Et/E’r was constant after birth. Conclusion: The age‐related changes suggest age‐related alterations in left ventricular diastolic function. Right ventricular diastolic function is constant after birth. (Echocardiography 2011;28:93‐96)     

运动负荷多谱勒超声心动图观察高血压病人的左室舒张功能

目的 :观察运动负荷状态下高血压病人和正常人左室舒张功能的改变及差别。方法 :高血压病人及正常对照各 15例 ,二组超声心动图 2 DE观察和 M型测量心内结构均正常 ,静息状态下左室收缩、舒张功能正常。进行卧位踏车运动 ,从心尖四腔图取二尖瓣血流频谱 ,观察 E峰流速 (VE)、A峰流速 (VA)、E峰流速时间总积分 (ETVI)、A峰流速时间总积分 (ATVI)、总流速积分(TTVI)、ATVI/ TTVI、VE/ A,于 70、80、90、10 0次 /分心率时分别测量 ,进行组内不同心率时及同一心率时二组间比较。结果 :组内比较 VE各心率组组内无差异。VA高血压组 80次/分开始加速 ,对照组 10 0次 /分显加速。ETVI高血压组 90次/分开始减小 ,对照组各心率组均无差异。 ATVI高血压组 90次 /分开始增大 ,对照组各心率组无差异。 ATVI/ TTVI高血压组 80次 /分开始增大 ,对照组 10 0次 /分开始增大。VE/ A高血压组 80次 /分开始下降 ,对照组 10 0次 /分开始下降。组间比较心率 80次 /分开始 VE/ A高血压组明显低于对照组 ,心率 90、10 0次 /分时高血压组较对照组 VA明显增快 ,ETVI减小 ,ATVI增大 ,ATVI/ TTVI增大。结论 :运动负荷状态下高血压病人较正常人舒张功能改变出现得早。运动负荷超声心动图是一种简便、无创的评价心脏代偿功能的方法     

Doppler Tissue Imaging Assessment of Left Ventricular Systolic Dyssynchrony in Severe Heart Failure Patients With a Normal QRS Duration

Objectives To assess the prevalence of systolic dyssynchrony of the left ventricular （LV） walls in patients of heart failure（HF） with a normal QRS duration by Doppler tissue imaging （DTI）. Methods 20 patients of HF with a normal QRS duration and 20 healthy individuals were investigated with DTI to quantitatively analyze their pulsed-wave Doppler spectrum of basal and middle segments in six walls of left ventricle. The time between the onset of the QRS complex of the surface ECG and the onset of the systolic wave of pulsed-wave Doppler spectrum was measured （TS）. LV systolic synchronization was assessed by the maximal difference （MD） in time of TS, the standard deviation （SD） and the coefficient of variation （CV） of TS in the all 12 LV segments. Results When a TS-MD of TS〉 53.08 ms, a TS-SD of TS 〉18.08 ms and a TS-CV of TS 〉 0.91 （＋1.65 SD of normal controls） was used to define significant systolic dyssynchrony, the prevalence of systolic dyssynchrony was 55.0 %, 55.0 % and 55.0 %, respectively, in the HF patients group, significantly higher than those in the normal control and the locations of delayed contraction of these patients were different. Conclusions LV systolic dyssynchrony could be commonly demonstrated by DTI in HF patients with a normal QRS duration. This finding will support the view about the possibility that more HF patients could benefit from cardiac resynchronization therapy.     

Aortic Upper Wall Tissue Doppler Image Velocity: Relation to Aortic Elasticity and Left Ventricular Diastolic Function

Background: Aortic stiffening contributes to the left ventricular (LV) afterload, hypertrophy, and substrate for diastolic dysfunction. It is also known that aortic elastic properties could be investigated with color tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in aortic upper wall. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relation of aortic upper wall TDI and aortic stiffness and other parameters of LV diastolic function. Methods: We examined aortic upper wall by TDI at the 3 cm above the aortic valves because of patient's chest discomfort or dyspnea. We excluded the patient with arterial hypertension or reduced left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) or significant valvular heart disease. So a total of 126 (mean age 53.8 ± 13.9 years, male 49.2%) patients were enrolled in this study and divided normal LV filling group (N = 31) and abnormal LV filling group (N = 95). Results: Aortic upper wall early systolic velocity and late diastolic velocity were not different between the two groups. Only aortic upper wall early diastolic velocity (AWEDV) was related to aortic stiffness index (r =−0.25, P = 0.008), distensibility (r = 0.28, P = 0.003), early diastolic (Em) (r = 0.45, P = 0.001), E/Em (r =−0.26, P = 0.003), and significantly reduced in abnormal LV filling group (6.19 ± 2.50 vs 8.18 ± 2.87, P = 0.001). Conclusions: AWEDV is decreased significantly in abnormal LV filling patients. It is statistically related to aortic stiffness, distensibility and parameters of abnormal LV filling, Em, E/Em. TDI velocity of the aortic upper wall can be a helpful tool for evaluating aortic stiffness, distensibility, and diastolic function.     

Evaluation of Right and Left Ventricular Diastolic Filling

A conceptual fluid–dynamics framework for diastolic filling is developed. The convective deceleration load (CDL) is identified as an important determinant of ventricular inflow during the E wave (A wave) upstroke. Convective deceleration occurs as blood moves from the inflow anulus through larger-area cross-sections toward the expanding walls. Chamber dilatation underlies previously unrecognized alterations in intraventricular flow dynamics. The larger the chamber, the larger becomes the endocardial surface and the CDL. CDL magnitude affects strongly the attainable E wave (A wave) peak. This underlies the concept of diastolic ventriculoannular disproportion. Large vortices, whose strength decreases with chamber dilatation, ensue after the E wave peak and impound inflow kinetic energy, averting an inflow-impeding, convective Bernoulli pressure rise. This reduces the CDL by a variable extent depending on vortical intensity. Accordingly, the filling vortex facilitates filling to varying degrees, depending on chamber volume. The new framework provides stimulus for functional genomics research, aimed at new insights into ventricular remodeling.