左室射血分数正常的心力衰竭患者的临床特点及左室收缩功能

目的 应用超声测量左室射血分数(LVEF)正常的心力衰竭(心衰)患者的房室平面位移,观察该类患者是否存在心室长轴方向收缩功能异常.方法 收集住院心衰患者96例,LVEF正常心衰组和LVEF降低心衰组各48例,50例健康体检者入选为对照组.比较各组在NYHA心功能分级、基础病因、房室平面位移、血浆N末端B型利钠肽原浓度的差异.结果 LVEF正常心衰组和LVEF降低心衰组的NYHA心功能分级差异无统计学意义.LVEF正常心衰组常见病因为高血压性心脏病和冠心病.对照组、LVEF正常心衰组、LVEF降低心衰组的房室平面位移依次下降.房室平面位移与血浆N末端B型利钠肽原水平负相关(r=-0.35,P<0.05).结论 通过传统方法测定的LVEF正常心衰组患者存在心室长轴方向上的收缩功能异常,而非单纯的舒张性心衰.     

心力衰竭患者N末端A、B及C型利钠肽原与超声心动图和心功能对比分析

目的 评价左心衰竭患者的N末端A型利钠肽原(NT-proANP)、N末端B型利钠肽原(NT-proBNP)和N末端C型利钠肽原(NT-proCNP)分别与临床NYHA心功能分级和超声心动图所测指标的相关性.方法 使用酶联免疫测定的方法测定112例左心衰竭患者(心衰组)和44例正常人(对照组)的血浆NT-proANP、NT-proBNP和NT-proCNP值,并分别与临床NYHA分级、左房内径(LAD)、左室舒张末内径(LVEDD)和左室射血分数(LVEF)进行相关性分析.结果 心衰组的NT-proANP、NT-proBNP、NT-proCNP均显著高于对照组(均为P＜0.05).心衰患者NT-proANP、NT-proBNP和NT-proCNP均两两相关.NT-proANP与NT-proBNP的相关性最强(r=0.790,P=0.000),而NT-proCNP分别与NT-proBNP(r=0.278,P=0.003)和NT-proANP(r=0.236,P=0.012)相关性较弱.单因素分析NT-proANP、NT-proBNP和NT-proCNP与超声心动图指标相关性的结果显示:NT-proANP、NT-proBNP均分别与LAD、LVEDD呈正相关(均为P＜0.05),与LVEF呈负相关(均为P＜0.05).但NT-proCNP未见与LAD、INEDD、INEF有明显相关性.在心衰组,分别引入包括年龄、性别、NYHA分级、超声心动图所测LAD、LVEDD、LVEF共6个因素进行多元逐步回归分析,结果NYHA、LVEF、LAD、年龄与NT-proANP独立相关,NYHA、LVEF、年龄与NT-proBNP独立相关,而NT-proCNP未见与上述因素的相关性.结论 心衰患者血浆NT-proANP、NT-proBNP和NT-proCNP的水平均显著升高,且三者两两相关.不论是单因素还是多元回归分析,NT-proCNP未见与心功能NYHA分级和超声心动图LAD、LVEF、LVEDD的相关性,NT-proCNP不能很好地反映心功能和超声心动图指标.     

多普勒超声心动图检测慢性心力衰竭患者心肌生物能量消耗水平的变化及临床意义

目的 分析慢性心力衰竭(心衰)患者的多普勒超声指标心肌生物能量消耗(MEE)与左心室结构指标及其收缩、舒张、整体功能指标及心衰严重程度(NYHA心功能分级)、C反应蛋白(CRP)、N末端B型利钠肽原(NT-proBNP)之间的关系,探讨MEE用于评估慢性心衰心功能状况的临床价值.方法 选择慢性心衰住院患者99例,据左室射血分数(LVEF)值分为LVEF正常的心衰(HFNEF)组37例,LVEF降低的心衰(HFREF)组62例(其中LVEF>35%、<50%及≤35%分别为30例及32例);据NYHA心功能分级分为Ⅱ级(26例)、Ⅲ级(42例)、Ⅳ级(31例);对照组30例.采用多普勒超声心动图检测并计算MEE及常规结构指标,左心室收缩(LVEF、LVFS)、舒张(E/A、EDT、IVRT)及整体功能指标(Tei指数),并测定各组血清CRP、血浆NT-proBNP水平,分析各组间各参数的差异,探讨MEE与上述指标间的相关性.结果 HFNEF组患者MEE水平与对照组差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),HFREF组患者MEE水平较对照组明显增加(P<0.01);慢性心衰组MEE随LVEF的降低及NYHA心功能分级级别的升高而显著增加(P<0.05);双变量相关分析显示,MEE与心室结构及收缩、舒张、整体功能指标、NYHA心功能分级及血清CRP、血浆NT-proBNP水平之间均具有相关性,其中关系最密切的是左心室收缩功能指标,即MEE与LVEF、LVFS均呈明显负相关[分别为r=-0.540、P<0.01,r=-0.454、P<0.01].结论 随左心室收缩功能障碍及心衰程度的加重,慢性心衰患者的MEE水平逐步升高,MEE与现有的心功能评价指标(如LVEF值、NYHA分级、NT-proBNP 等)均呈明显相关,特别与左心室收缩功能指标关系密切.MEE可从心肌生物能量学角度有效评定慢性心衰患者的心功能状况.     

不同类型心衰患者QRS波时限与NT-proBNP的关系及其临床意义

目的探讨不同类型心力衰竭患者心电图QRS波时限与血浆N末端B型利钠肽原水平的关系及其临床意义。方法本次医学研究选择我院2012年10月1日至2013年12月1日之间收治的120例心力衰竭患者为观察对象,所有观察对象均接受动态心电图检查,回顾分析所有观察对象的心电图QRS波时限与血浆N末端B型利钠肽原水平关系。结果舒张性心力衰竭(DHF)以及收缩性心力衰竭(SHF)患者NYHA分级、LVEF、NTproBNP和QRS波时限等指标对比具有明显的统计学差异(P0.05)。结论本次医学研究结果证实,心力衰竭患者的心电图QRS波时限和血浆N末端B型利钠肽原均会发生一定程度的改变,因而可作为心力衰竭临床诊断和治疗的一些依据。     

血浆NT-proBNP在老年舒张性心力衰竭患者早期诊断中的价值

目的 探讨血浆氨基末端B型钠利尿肽前体(NT-proBNP)在老年舒张性心衰(DHF)患者早期诊断中的价值.方法 26例心功能正常体检者为对照组,明确诊断收缩性心衰(SHF)患者(LVEF＜50%)25例、心腔正常DHF组(LVEF≥50%、E/A≤1)22例和心脏扩大DHF组28例.ELISA法测定血浆NT-proBNP浓度.结果 (1)NYHA心功能分级与NT-proBNP浓度呈显著正相关(r=0.658,P＜0.01),LVEF与NT-proBNP浓度呈显著负相关(r=-0.608,P＜0.01),NYHA分级之间的NT-proBNP水平差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).(2)心衰组血浆NT-proBNP水平各组之间有统计学差异(P＜0.01).结论 血浆NT-proBNP可以作为评价心衰严重程度的客观指标,尤其对DHF早期诊断,更具价值.     

不同类型老年心力衰竭患者心电图QRS波时限与血浆N末端B型利钠肽原水平及心功能的关系

目的探讨不同类型老年心力衰竭患者心电图QRS波时限与血浆N末端B型利钠肽原(NT-pro BNP)水平和心功能的关系。方法老年心力衰竭患者140例为研究组,根据衰竭类型将患者分为收缩组(n=66)和舒张组(n=74),另选取同期非心力衰竭患者100例为对照组,应用美国纽约心脏病协会(NYHA)分级评价心功能,检测所有入选者心电图QRS波时限、左室射血分数(LVEF)和血浆NT-pro BNP水平。结果研究组QRS波时限显著长于对照组,收缩组QRS显著长于舒张组,研究组NT-pro BNP水平显著高于对照组,NYHA显著高于对照组,LVEF显著低于对照组,且收缩组显著优于舒张组(P<0.05);相关性分析显示:QRS波时限与NT-pro BNP水平和NYHA分级呈正相关(P<0.05),与LVEF呈负相关关系(P<0.05)。结论老年心力衰竭患者QRS波时限较长,血浆NT-pro BNP水平较高,且不同类型心力衰竭患者也存在差异,QRS波时限及血浆NTpro BNP水平能反映患者心功能。     

心力衰竭患者血浆B型利钠肽/氨基末端利钠肽原水平正常的研究进展

B型利钠肽和氨基末端利钠肽原作为心力衰竭的诊断血清生物标志物已经有很多年,并且已有大量研究证实,心力衰竭时血浆B型利钠肽/氨基末端利钠肽原浓度升高提示心功能差及预后不良,心力衰竭程度越严重,血浆B型利钠肽/氨基末端利钠肽原浓度越高,心功能分级越高,血浆B型利钠肽/氨基末端利钠肽原水平也越高。但也有研究发现,在一些诊断为心力衰竭的患者中,血浆B型利钠肽/氨基末端利钠肽原浓度可正常的现象。现对心力衰竭患者B型利钠肽/氨基末端利钠肽原水平正常的研究进展做一综述。     

收缩性心力衰竭和舒张性心力衰竭患者血浆N末端B型利钠肽原的

目的 探讨收缩性心力衰竭(HF)和舒张性HF患者血浆N末端B型利钠肽原(NT-proBNP)的差异及与年龄的关系.方法 收入2010年1月至2011年10月在山西省晋城市人民医院心内科住院的202例心力衰竭患者,其中收缩性HF 104例,舒张性HF 98例,所有患者均具有HF的症状、体征并行超声心动图检查.202例患者初次入院后判断纽约心脏病协会(NYHA)心功能分级,行超声心动图检查,入院后初始测定血浆NT-proBNP,比较其在收缩性与舒张性HF中的差别,并比较不同心功能组、不同年龄组血浆NT-proBNP的差异,并设20例健康人作为对照组.结果 收缩性HF、舒张性HF组血浆NT-proBNP均较正常对照组明显升高(P＜0.01),收缩性HF组血浆NT-proBNP显著高于舒张性HF组(P＜0.05).在任何年龄组,随着NYHA心功能分级的增高,NT-proBNP浓度升高(P＜0.05).随着年龄增长,NT-proBNP浓度呈现上升趋势,但差异未达统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 收缩性HF患者血浆NT-proBNP水平高于舒张性HF患者,HF患者血浆NT-proBNP与NYHA心功能分级密切相关.NT-proBNP浓度与年龄无显著相关性.     

心衰患者血浆B-型钠尿肽水平的研究

目的：探讨血浆B-型利钠肽（BNP）水平与心力衰竭患者心功能变化之间的关系。方法：测定43例心力衰竭患者（HF组）与38例健康体检者（正常对照组）血浆BNP含量,采用NYHA心功能分级法进行分级和超声心动图测定两组左心功能参数,并进行比较;HF组进行抗心衰药物综合治疗2周,然后就其血浆BNP水平及左室射血分数（LVEF）等心功能指标与治疗前进行比较。结果：随着心功能恶化,血浆BNP水平呈上升趋势,各级心功能间差异均有显著性[NYHAⅠ级：（156.15±71.42）pg/ml比NYHAⅡ级：（405.42±263.38）pg/ml比NYHAⅢ级：（736.12±395.47）pg/ml比NYHAⅣ级：（1106.36±582.33）pg/ml,P〈0.05]。经抗心衰药物综合治疗后,各心功能等级BNP水平较治疗前明显降低（P〈0.01）。BNP水平与LVEF（r=-0.578）、左心室短轴缩短率（r=-0.542）呈负相关;与左室舒张末内径（r=0.611）、心胸比率（r=0.534）呈正相关（P均〈0.05）。结论：血浆B-型利钠肽水平与心衰程度密切相关,测定心衰患者血浆B-型利钠肽水平是监测心衰程度的有效手段之一。     

缺血性心脏病心力衰竭患者外周血干细胞数量与心功能的相关性

目的 观察缺血性心脏病心力衰竭(心衰)患者外周血干细胞(PBSC)数量与心功能指标--NYHA心功能分级、左室射血分数(LVEF)、N末端B型利钠肽原(NT-proBNP)的关系.方法 选择缺血性心脏病心衰患者199例,临床评价NYHA心功能分级、彩色心脏多普勒超声检测LVEF,电化学发光法测定NT-proBNP,流式细胞仪间接法检测PBSC数量,运用相关性分析和逐步回归法分析心功能与PBSC数量的关联.结果 PBSC数量在不同NYHA心功能分级缺血性心脏病心衰患者之间的差异具有统计学意义(F=12.12,P＜0.01).心功能Ⅳ级患者PBSC数量明显低于Ⅱ、Ⅲ级患者,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).LVEF与PBSC呈正相关(r=0.35,P=0.001),NT-proBNP与PBSC呈负相关(r=-0.39,P=0.009).LVEF、NT-proBNP两者对PBSC数量有显著影响(Beta分别为0.14、-0.25,95%CI分别为-0.01～0.02、-0.18～-0.04,分别为P＜0.05、P＜0.01).结论 PBSC数量与缺血性心脏病心衰患者心功能有关.     

Do female patients with metabolic syndrome have masked left ventricular dysfunction?

OBJECTIVE: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a condition, which is recognized as raising the risk of cardiovascular disease. The aim of our study is to estimate the left ventricular functions by atrioventricular plane displacement (AVPD), myocardial performance index (MPI) and conventional methods in patients with MS who were diagnosed according to NCEP (ATP III) criteria. METHODS: Fifty-three female patients with MS (mean age 53.1+/-6.9 years) and 30 healthy female subjects (mean age 52.8+/-6.3 years, p>0.05) underwent complete echocardiographic assessment. All of the subjects had no heart and pulmonary diseases. The systolic mitral AVPD was recorded at 4 sites (septal, lateral, anterior, and posterior) by M-mode echocardiography and left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) was calculated from the AVPD-mean (EF-AVPD). The LVEF was also established by biplane Simpson's (EF-2D) and Teichholz's methods (EF-T). Left ventricular MPI was calculated as (isovolumic contraction time + isovolumic relaxation time) / aortic ejection time by Doppler echocardiography. RESULTS: Patients with MS showed mild left ventricular diastolic dysfunction (DD) in comparison to healthy subjects. The EF-2D and EF-T in patients with MS and healthy subjects were not different significantly and were within normal limits. Patients with MS showed LV global dysfunctions compared to healthy subjects (MPI: 0.56+/-0.12 and 0.46+/-0.11 respectively, p<0.01). Both the septal, anterior, lateral and posterior part of the atrioventricular plane values and also AVPD-mean during systole were statistically lower in patients with MS (12.85+/-1.76 mm) as compared with controls (14.65+/-2.19 mm, p<0.05). The EF-AVPD in patients with MS was statistically lower (65.58+/-11.95%) as compared with healthy subjects (74.45+/-11.07%, p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Female patients with MS had both left ventricular DD and a global dysfunction with an increased MPI. The EF-2D and EF-T were not different significantly between patients and controls, but patients with MS had a relatively reduced EF-AVPD. The AVPD method may indicate a systolic dysfunction with a relatively lower AVPD-mean and relatively lower EF-AVPD. The presence of global dysfunction in patients with MS may lead to heart failure.     

氨基末端脑利钠肽前体和左心室射血分数在老年慢性充血性心力衰竭评估中的作用

目的探讨老年心力衰竭患者血浆氨基末端脑利钠肽前体(NT-proBNP)、左心室射血分数(LVEF)与纽约心功能分级(NYHA)的关系。方法入选2006年1月至2011年10月在我院住院的年龄≥60岁NYHAⅡ～Ⅳ级的慢性心力衰竭患者308例,分为收缩性心力衰竭(SHF)(LVEF<50%)组210例、射血分数正常的心力衰竭(HFNEF)(LVEF>50%)组98例,同期非心力衰竭住院无器质性心脏病患者150例作为对照组,采用电化学发光免疫法检测血浆NT-proBNP浓度,心脏彩色多普勒超声测定左心室结构和LVEF、左心室舒张功能(Ea/Aa)。结果血浆NT-proBNP水平随NYHA分级的增加而升高,二者呈正相关(r=0.862,P<0.01);LVEF与NYHA分级呈负相关(r=-0.614,P<0.05);血浆NT-ProBNP水平与LVEF无明显相关性(r=-0.136,P=0.09)。在SHF组NT-proBNP水平与LVEF呈负相关(r=-0.735,P=0.008),在HFNEF组NT-proBNP水平与Ea/Aa呈正相关(r=0.614,P=0.009)。结论血浆NT-proBNP水平能较好地反映老年慢性心力衰竭患者的心功能状态,LVEF与NT-proBNP结合应用不仅能更好地反映患者心功能状态,同时有助于HFNEF的诊断。     

N-terminal proBNP and mortality in hospitalised patients with heart failure and preserved vs. reduced systolic function: data from the prospective Copenhagen Hospital Heart Failure Study (CHHF)

Preserved systolic function among heart failure patients is a common finding, a fact that has only recently been fully appreciated. The aim of the present study was to examine the value of NT-proBNP to predict mortality in relation to established risk factors among consecutively hospitalised heart failure patients and secondly to characterise patients in relation to preserved and reduced systolic function. MATERIAL: At the time of admission 2230 consecutively hospitalised patients had their cardiac status evaluated through determinations of NT-proBNP, echocardiography, clinical examination and medical history. Follow-up was performed 1 year later in all patients. RESULTS: 161 patients fulfilled strict diagnostic criteria for heart failure (HF). In this subgroup of patients 1-year mortality was approximately 30% and significantly higher as compared to the remaining non-heart failure population (approx. 16%). Using univariate analysis left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), New York Heart Association classification (NYHA) and plasma levels of NT-proBNP all predicted mortality independently. However, regardless of systolic function, age and NYHA class, risk-stratification was provided by measurements of NT-proBNP. Having measured plasma levels of NT-proBNP, LVEF did not provide any additional prognostic information on mortality among heart failure patients (multivariate analysis). CONCLUSION: The results show that independent of LVEF, measurements of NT-proBNP add additional prognostic information. It is concluded that NT-proBNP is a strong predictor of 1-year mortality in consecutively hospitalised patients with heart failure with preserved as well as reduced systolic function.     

NT-proBNP and atrioventricular plane displacement. Relationship and diagnostic implications

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: NT-proBNP is useful in the diagnosis of heart failure and ventricular dysfunction. Left atrioventricular plane displacement (AVPD) is a consolidated index of ventricular function. Our objective was to carry out a multicenter population-based study to establish the relationship between plasma NT-proBNP levels with AVPD values. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We studied 215 subjects (age 66 9 years; 57.7% women) chosen from a random sample of 432 people from the Community of Valencia, who previously reported suffering from some degree of dyspnea. Doppler echocardiography was done, AVPD was calculated and plasma NT-proBNP concentrations were determined. All studies were completed in 194 patients. RESULTS: For the whole population NT-proBNP was 88 (0-2,586) pg/ml and AVPD was 11.9 1.6 mm. NT-proBNP concentration correlated well with AVPD (r = 0.44; p < 0.00001), and higher peptide levels were obtained in AVPD quartiles that indicated less displacement (p < 0.05). When NT-proBNP values were grouped according to their association with AVPD lower or higher than the 50th percentile AVPD, the difference was significant at p < 0.01. When AVPD values lower and higher than 10 mm were compared, NT-proBNP values were higher in persons with AVPD lower than 10 mm (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This population study found higher NT-proBNP concentrations in subjects with lower AVPD, and illustrates the potential diagnostic usefulness of NT-proBNP in clinical practice.     

心力衰竭患者合并肝功能损伤的临床研究

目的 探讨心力衰竭患者合并肝功能损伤的发生状况.方法回顾性分析我院2011年1～7月的心衰患者72例,并分别按照NYHA及LVEF分组,对组间各项指标进行比较.结果按照NYHA分级进行分组的NYHA Ⅲ级组和NYHA Ⅳ级组组间谷丙转氨酶(ALT)、NT-proBNP、α-羟丁酸(HBDH)、左室收缩末期内径差异有统计学意义.按照LVEF进行分组的重度心衰组和轻度心衰组组间ALT、谷氨酰胺基转移酶(GGT)、NT-proBNP、碱性磷酸酶(ALP)、左室舒张末期内径、左室收缩末期内径差异有统计学意义;两组合并淤血肝的例数比较差异有统计学意义.结论心衰患者普遍存在肝功能损害,因此在制订治疗方案时应予以充分的评价和重视.     

老年心力衰竭患者血浆脑钠肽与N末端B型钠尿肽影响因素的探讨

目的 探讨老年心力衰竭患者血浆脑钠肽(BNP)和N末端B型钠尿肽(NT-proBNP)水平与心力衰竭严重程度、左心室功能等因素的关系,以及肾功能对BNP和NT-proBNP值的影响.方法采用免疫荧光分析法测定106例住院心力衰竭患者BNP水平,采用电化学发光免疫分析法测定48例住院心力衰竭患者NT-proBNP水平.均用心脏彩色多普勒超声诊断仪测定左心室收缩功能,心力衰竭按纽约分级(NYHA). 结果 BNP≤400 ng/L和>400 ng/L患者,左心射血分数(EF)值<45.0%者分别为16.4%和46.8%(χ~2=13.93,P=0.001);心脏彩超A峰、E峰流速比值(E/A)<1者分别为62.3%和40.4%,(χ~2-22.19,P=0.024);肌酐>107 μmol/L者分别为13.1%和38.3%(χ~2=11.31,P=0.002).NT-proBNP≤1800 ng/L和>1800 ng/L患者,EF值<45%者分别为25.0%和58.3%,(χ~2=10.00,P=0.019);E/A≤1者分别为70.1%和20.8%;肌酐>107μmol/L分别为20.8%,和50.0%(χ~2=8.50,P=0.035). 结论 老年心力衰竭患者血浆BNP及NT-proBNP水平随着心力衰竭严重程度的增加而升高,并能较好反映左室功能;肾脏功能对BNP及NT-proBNP水均有影响.     

大内皮素-1和氨基末端脑钠肽前体与重度充血性心力衰竭相关性的临床观察

目的 探讨重度充血性心力衰竭（CHF）患者血浆大内皮素-1（BigET-1）和氨基末端脑钠肽前体（NT-proBNP）的变化规律及其与心功能的相关性.方法 将90例CHF患者分为轻度组与重度组.轻度组为美国纽约心脏病协会（NYHA）心功能分级Ⅰ～Ⅱ级的42例CHF患者,重度组为NYHA心功能分级Ⅲ～Ⅳ级的48例CHF患者.用酶联免疫吸附实验双抗体夹心法测定两组患者血浆BigET-1和NT-proBNP水平,并分析二者关系;彩色心脏超声测定左心室功能参数：左心室舒张末期内径（LVEDD）、左心室收缩末期内径（LVESD）和左室射血分数（LVEF）,并分析实验室指标与左心室功能参数的相关性.结果 重度组血浆BigET-1与NT-proBNP含量显著高于轻度组,差异有统计学意义[（2.13±0.58）fmol/ml比（1.08±0.35）fmol/ml,P＜0.01,（2885.2±1299.2）fmol/ml比（1165.8±333.2）fmol/ml,P＜0.01].重度组血浆BigET-1含量与LVEF、LVEDD、LVESD密切相关（r分别为-0.740、0.655和0.740,P均＜0.01）; NT-proBNP含量与LVEF、LVEDD、LEVSD有良好相关性（r分别为-0.670、0.654、0.709,P均＜0.01）;血浆BigET-1与NT-proBNP也密切相关（r＝0.752,P＜0.01）.结论 BigET-1和NT-proBNP可能参与了心功能损伤的病理生理过程.快速检测BigET-1和NT-proBNP对CHF的实验室诊断、心功能评估、疗效观察、预后判断均具有重要临床价值.     

Doppler tissue imaging in congestive heart failure patients due to diastolic or systolic dysfunction: a comparison with Doppler echocardiography and the atrio-ventricular plane displacement technique

BACKGROUND: Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) is an echocardiographic technique by which regional contractility, relaxation properties and time intervals are obtained easily. DTI has been reported to be relatively pre-load independent and could, in comparison with the commonly used mitral pulse wave Doppler (MPWD) method, be of clinical interest for identification of patients with diastolic dysfunction. The atrio-ventricular plane displacement (AVPD) method is an established technique to assess left ventricular systolic function. AIMS: To determine the pulsed Doppler DTI-pattern in patients with heart failure and to examine whether it has a similar capacity as MPWD and AVPD to diagnose diastolic dysfunction. METHODS: We studied 15 controls without congestive heart failure (CHF), 15 patients with diastolic (EF>45%+CHF) and 15 patients with systolic (EF<35%+CHF) left ventricular dysfunction and CHF. RESULTS: The DTI maximal velocities during systole (s), early filling wave (e) and atrial filling wave (a), decrease with reduced left ventricular ejection fraction, r=0.75, r=0.56 and r=0.66 (P<0.001) and regional isovolumetric contraction and intraventricular relaxation time measured by DTI are prolonged, r=0.59 and r=0.73, respectively (P<0.001). The 15 patients with diastolic heart failure were identified by MPWD or DTI but only 11 by AVPD with 8, 10 and 9 false-positive, respectively (P<0.01, P<0.05 and NS). CONCLUSIONS: Regional DTI show a consistent pattern in patients with left ventricular dysfunction and heart failure. Regional DTI has similar accuracy as MPWD in identifying diastolic heart failure patients and is superior to the AVPD technique. DTI may be a useful diagnostic tool in diastolic heart failure patients.