Echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function in patients with aortic valve stenosis

Impairment of left ventricular diastolic function in aortic valve stenosis occurs very early and precedes the impairment of systolic function. Aim was to examine left ventricular diastolic function and its association with severity of myocardial hypertrophy and clinical picture. The paper comprised 78 patients with isolated aortic valve stenosis in whom were performed ultrasonography and catheterization. No significant differences in parameters of diastolic filling were observed in patients with mild hypertrophy and preserved systolic function compared to healthy subjects. In patients with moderate myocardial hypertrophy, left ventricular filling was decreased in an early diastole (Emax 51 +/- 5 cm/s, Evti 6.4 +/- 1.1 cm) and increased in late diastole (Amax 88 +/- 11 cm/s, Avti 11.4 +/- 1.8 cm), while deceleration time was prolonged (DT 171 +/- 32 ms). Pulmonary vein flow was decreased during diastole (Dmax 33 +/- 5 cm/s, Dvti 7.6 +/- 2 cm). Pseudonormalization of flow through mitral valve was observed in patients with pronounced hypertrophy of left ventricular wall (mass > 180 g/m2): increase of the velocity during the phase of fast left ventricular filling (Emax 72 +/- 13 cm/s, Evti 9.8 +/- 2.1 cm), decrease during atrial contraction (Amax 31 +/- 6 cm/s, Avti 3.7 +/- 0.4 cm), reduction in deceleration time (DT 116 +/- 11 ms), while pulmonary vein flow velocity was increased during the early diastole (Dmax 64 +/- 17 cm/s, Dvti 10.7 +/- 2.2 cm). Likewise, significant correlation between clinical picture and type of blood flow through mitral valve was observed.     

Magnetic resonance evaluation of mitral stenosis

In order to study magnetic resonance (MR) abnormalities in mitral stenosis electrocardiogram (ECG)-gated MR imaging was performed with a 2.0 T MR system in 41 patients with mitral stenosis before catheterization. Mean transverse diameter of the left atrium was 8.9±1.4 cm and anteroposterior diameter was 5.1±1.0 cm, indicating significant enlargement. Homogeneous or inhomogeneous flow-related signals in ventricular diastole were detected in the left atrial cavity in 32 cases (78%), and in the atrial appendage in 35 cases (85%). In 21 patients having a mean wedge pulmonary arterial pressure higher than 20 mm Hg, 20 patients (95%) showed flow-related signals in ventricular diastole. Other MR findings were mitral valve doming in diastole, flow-related signal in the pulmonary artery during systole, and left atrial thrombi.     

定量组织速度成像对冠心病节段舒张功能的临床评价

探讨定量组织速度成像（QTVI）评价冠心病左室节段舒张功能的临床应用价值。应用QTVI检测40名正常人与30例冠心病患者左室长轴方向等容舒张期、快速充盈期、心房收缩期节段心肌运动速度VIR、VE、VA和VE/VA比值以及二尖瓣口血流频谱的快速充盈速度（E）、左房收缩充盈速度（A）和E/A比值，并进行对比分析。结果显示，冠心病患者缺血心肌节段舒张早期峰值速度较正常人降低，VE/VA比值小于1。提示QTVI能敏感定量评价左室心肌节段舒张功能导演，对冠心病节段心肌缺血的早期诊断有重要价值。     

Global left ventricular perfusion: noninvasive measurement with cine MR imaging and phase velocity mapping of coronary venous outflow.

Velocity and volumetric flow of left ventricular venous outflow in the distal coronary sinus were measured with magnetic resonance (MR) velocity mapping techniques in 24 healthy men. A total of 16-21 velocity maps were acquired throughout the cardiac cycle. To determine the accuracy of the MR velocity-mapping pulse sequence, measurements were obtained with a flow phantom. Mean blood flow was 144 mL/min +/- 62 (standard deviation); mean velocity, 2.1 cm/sec +/- 1.0; and mean cross-sectional area, 1.2 cm2. Phasic measurements revealed a biphasic flow pattern in the coronary sinus, with a first peak in systole (257 mL/min +/- 174) and a second peak in early diastole (1,090 mL/min +/- 487). The cross-sectional area varied between 0.5 cm2 +/- 0.2 at end diastole and 1.9 cm2 +/- 0.6 in systole, a finding that suggests a capacitance function for venous outflow. Mean blood flow measurements were in agreement with measurements obtained invasively in previous studies. It is concluded that MR velocity mapping can enable noninvasive measurement of coronary venous outflow and global left ventricular perfusion and may become clinically useful in assessment of coronary blood flow reserve.     

Left ventricular wall motion during diastolic filling in endurance-trained athletes

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess left ventricular (LV) wall motion in highly endurance-trained athletes to evaluate LV diastolic function in physiologically hypertrophied hearts. BACKGROUND: Diastolic filling dynamics have previously been examined in endurance-trained athletes by measuring pulsed-wave mitral inflow velocities during the early and atrial filling phase, indicating an unimpaired LV function. Assessment of LV wall motion may give additional information about the LV diastolic function in endurance-trained athletes. METHODS: Left ventricular mass (LVM) and volume (LVV) were determined by M-mode echocardiography. Peak LV wall motion in the region of the basal septum close to the mitral anulus were measured during the early rapid and atrial filling phase by tissue Doppler in 30 endurance-trained athletes (T) and 16 sedentary control subjects (C) presumed to be healthy. Results: Myocardial LVM and LVV in T (LVM 159.4 +/- 18.0 g.m(-2), LVV 100.4 +/- 13.0 mL.m(-2)) were significantly higher than in C (LVM 105.7 +/- 12.0.m(-2), LVV 70.1 +/- 11.9 mL.m(-2)), and heart rate (HR) was significantly lower (HR C: 69.6 +/- 11.0 bpm, T 50.9 +/- 8.7 bpm),which is consistent with endurance training (P < 0.01 for both). Peak LV wall motion during the early rapid filling phase did not differ significantly between the groups (T: 10.69 +/- 1.46 cm.(s-)1; C: 10.61 +/- 1.52 cm.(s-)1). Peak atrial wall motion was significantly lower in T (4.53 +/- 0.84 cm.s-1) versus C (5.74 +/- 0.75 cm.s(-1)), and the ratio of peak early diastolic to atrial wall motion was consequently higher in athletes (P < 0.01 for both). Conclusion: Regional wall motion at the basal septum near the mitral anulus during the early rapid filling phase is not altered by an increase in LVM or LVV when associated with endurance training.     

Patients with pulmonary fibrosis: cardiac function assessed with MR imaging

PURPOSE: To detect abnormalities in cardiac function by using magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in patients with mild to moderate pulmonary fibrosis and to evaluate the relationship between pulmonary function and cardiac function. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients were compared with 16 sex- and age-matched healthy control subjects. Systolic function was assessed by using multisection multiphase cine MR imaging. Diastolic function was assessed with flow-sensitive MR imaging across the mitral and tricuspid valves. MR imaging results were compared with the severity of impairment in pulmonary function. RESULTS: Biventricular systolic function and left ventricular diastolic function were normal in patients, but right ventricular diastolic function was significantly impaired versus that of control subjects, with a ratio of peak flow during early diastolic (E) filling to peak flow during atrial contraction (A) of 0.85 +/- 0.40 versus 1.28 +/- 0.50 (P =.035). Biventricular E/A ratios were strongly correlated to age in patients and control subjects. The right ventricular E/A ratio in patients corresponded with values that are normally expected in people 20 years older. Diastolic left and right ventricular functions were significantly correlated with each other. There was no relationship between pulmonary function and cardiac function. CONCLUSION: Impairment of right ventricular diastolic function was found by using MR imaging in patients with mild to moderate pulmonary fibrosis, whereas left ventricular diastolic function and biventricular systolic function were preserved.     

Mitral valve flow measured with cine MR velocity mapping in patients with ischemic heart disease: comparison with doppler echocardiography

Diastolic function is an important element of overall left ventricular function. The pattern of flow across the mitral valve is commonly used as a measure of diastolic ventricular function. Magnetic resonance (MR) velocity mapping of blood flow across the mitral valve was compared with Doppler echocardiography. Nineteen patients with known coronary artery disease (mean age. 62 years: 11 with previous myocardial infarction) were studied. The mean value of peak early filling velocity (± standard deviation) was 60.1 cm/sec ± 14.3 with the MR method and 59.4 cm/sec ± 13.7 with echocardiography (P = 0.732). The mean difference between the two measurements (95% confidence interval) was ?0.8 cm/sec (?5.2 cm/sec. +2.2 cm/sec). The mean value of early deceleration was 4.3 mlsec² ± 1.5 with the MR method and 4.0 m/sec² ± 1.5 with echocardiography (P = 0.073). The mean Werence was ?0.4 cm/sec² (?0.92 cm/eec². +0.05 cm/sec²). The mean value of peak atriosystolic velocity was 51 cm/sec ± 14.6 with the MR method and 62 cm/sec ± 17.2 with echocardiography (P = 0.002). The mean difference was ?11 cm/sec (?18.1 cm/sec, ?3.45 cm /sec). Peak atrial filling was consistently lower with the MR method than with echocardiography. Time-averaged measurements of ventricular fflling with MR velocity mapping are an accurate measure of early diastolic filling but underestimate the velocity of atriosystolic fflling.     

Tissue Doppler assessment of ventricular function during cycling in 7- to 12-yr-old boys

PURPOSE: Studies utilizing submaximal supine exercise have indicated that tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) may be useful for assessing ventricular systolic and diastolic function during exercise and might offer a means of detecting patients with early myocardial dysfunction. This investigation of 14 healthy boys ages 7-12 yr was designed to assess measures of inotropic and lusitropic function during maximal upright cycle exercise. METHODS: Color tissue Doppler imaging (S and E' waves, indicative of systolic and diastolic function, respectively), stroke volume, and mitral peak inflow velocity (E wave) were recorded at rest and during a progressive upright cycle test to exhaustion. RESULTS: Values of TDI-S and TDI-E' were obtained at exhaustive exercise in all but one subject. Mean value of S rose 163% (3.8+/-1.2 to 10.0+/-2.5 cm.s), and average E' increased by 92% (-6.3+/-2.2 to -12.1+/-3.2 cm.s). No significant changes were observed in the ratio of E' to mitral peak flow velocity (E), suggesting that left ventricular end-diastolic pressure remained stable. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that measurement of TDI is feasible during maximal upright exercise, and velocities obtained may provide insights into ventricular systolic and diastolic functional capacity.     

Congenital complete heart block. Radiographic findings in 13 patients without associated defects.

The radiographic findings in 13 patients with congenital complete heart block without associated anomalies are presented to illustrate characteristic features. Findings related to the increased stroke volume in these patients include: (a) simulated shunt vasculature; (b) pulmonary venous pypertension with redistribution of blood flow to the upper lungs, and, in one patient, peribronchial edema; (c) cardiomegaly with right ventricular, pulmonary artery, left atrial, left ventricular, and aortic enlargement; and (d) variation in cardiac size on serial examinations. Less commonly seen were findings related to atrioventricular dissociation with transitory marked pulmonary venous hypertension present in one patient when left atrial contraction occurred during ventricular systole when the mitral valve was closed.     

Flow profiles in the left anterior descending and the right coronary artery assessed by MR velocity quantification: effects of through-plane and in-plane motion of the heart.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this work was to compare the temporal profiles of volume flow in the left anterior descending artery (LAD) and the right coronary artery (RCA) and to assess the effect of through-plane and in-plane myocardial motion. METHOD: In eight healthy volunteers, MR phase-difference velocity quantification was applied with prospective ECG triggering, pixel size of 1.16 x 0.98 mm2 (LAD) or 1.25 x 0.98 mm2 (RCA), velocity sensitivity of 40 cm/s, and data acquisition time window of 64 ms for LAD (3 ky lines per heartbeat) and 24 ms for RCA. In-plane motion was measured from the magnitude images. RESULTS: In the LAD, systolic peak and mean flow values were 0.94+/-0.28 and 0.30 +/-0.22 ml/s, respectively. Diastolic peak and mean flows were 2.42+/-0.56 and 1.38+/-0.43 ml/s. The systolic to diastolic ratio was 0.37+/-0.12 for peak flow and 0.22+/-0.15 for mean flow. Mean flow through the cardiac cycle was 59.1+/-15.0 ml/min. In the RCA, systolic peak and mean flow values were 1.96+/-0.69 and 0.74+/-0.31 ml/s, respectively. Diastolic peak and mean flows were 1.80+/-0.53 and 0.83+/-0.20 ml/s. The systolic to diastolic ratio was 0.97+/-0.58 for peak flow and 0.85+/-0.39 for mean flow. Mean flow through the cardiac cycle was 38.4+/-10.8 ml/min. The in-plane velocity of the coronary artery cross-section was 6.4+/-1.8 cm/s for the LAD and 14.9 +/-4.0 cm/s for the RCA (given by peak values in diastole). CONCLUSION: It is confirmed noninvasively with MR that the LAD shows a predominantly diastolic flow, whereas the RCA shows about equal flow values in systole and diastole. Through-plane motion correction is required for assessing the true flow patterns. The in-plane velocities of the coronary artery cross-sections imply a maximum data acquisition time window, estimated at 58 ms for the LAD and at 23 ms for the RCA.     

Cardiac tissue Doppler in steroid users

Anabolic steroids cause a variety of side effects, among them a slight concentric left ventricular hypertrophy. The objective of the present study was to clarify if they also induce alterations in left ventricular function. 14 male body builders with substantial intake of anabolic steroids (users) were examined by standard echocardiography and cardiac tissue Doppler imaging. They were compared to 11 steroid-free strength athletes (non-users) and 15 sedentary control subjects. Users showed an increased left ventricular muscle mass index. The ratio of peak transmitral blood flow velocities during early diastolic filling and atrial contraction did not differ between groups (users: 1.4 +/- 0.3; non-users: 1.7 +/- 0.5; controls: 1.4 +/- 0.4). In contrast an analogous tissue Doppler parameter, the ratio of myocardial velocities during early and late ventricular filling in the basal septum, was significantly lower in users (1.2 +/- 0.4) when compared to non-users (1.6 +/- 0.5) or controls (1.6 +/- 0.6). The velocity gradient during myocardial E-wave in the posterior wall showed significantly lower values in users (3.8 +/- 1.3 1/s) as compared to controls (5.8 +/- 2.5 1/s). There were no differences in systolic function. Summarizing strength athletes abusing anabolic steroids show negative alterations in diastolic function.     

应用定量组织速度成像评价正常大鼠的心功能

目的:研究大鼠定量组织速度成像速度曲线特点,探讨该技术在大鼠的应用,为大鼠心血管疾病模型心功能的评价找到更准确、快速、无创的方法。方法:应用传统的超声心动图方法和定量组织速度成像(QTVI)技术检测30只正常大鼠的心脏,测量常用心功能参数,获得心尖四腔切面的QTVI图像,脱机分析后室间隔和左室侧壁二尖瓣环处的速度曲线,记录收缩期峰值速度Vs、舒张早期峰值速度Ve、左房收缩期峰值速度Va,并计算Ve/Va。并将后室间隔和左室侧壁的平均Vs与M型超声获得的左室射血分数(EF)进行相关分析。结果:30只大鼠均能显示胸骨旁左心长轴、大血管短轴、乳头肌短轴及心尖四腔切面,彩色血流显像可检测出二尖瓣口血流情况,所有大鼠二尖瓣口血流频谱均为单峰;室间隔的QTVI速度曲线收缩期多为双峰,左室侧壁的QTVI速度曲线收缩期多为单峰,舒张期部分取样点可见明显的E峰和A峰;后室间隔和左室侧壁的平均Vs与EF呈直线相关(相关系数分别为0.62,P<0.001)。结论:QTVI能够提供大鼠收缩及舒张功能的定量信息,是评价大鼠心血管疾病模型心功能的一个较有前途的方法,可以弥补传统评价方法的不足。     

Aortic distensibility and left ventricular diastolic functions in endurance athletes

Aortic elastic properties are important determinants of left ventricular function. The aim of this study was to determine left ventricular diastolic function and aortic distensibility in endurance athletes. Thirty male runners and thirty age-matched healthy male controls took part in the study. All subjects underwent echocardiographic examination and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Measurements included LV cavity dimension, standard and tissue Doppler parameters, and aortic diameter, 3 cm above aortic valve, at systole and diastole. Maximal oxygen uptake in athletes was higher than in controls. The aortic distensibility index was found to be higher in athletes compared with controls (5.37 +/- 1.50 vs. 3.37 +/- 1.48 cm (2) . dynes (-1) . 10 (-6), p < 0.001). While the aortic stiffness index in athletes was significantly lower than in controls (2.77 +/- 0.28 vs. 3.43 +/- 0.41, p < 0.001). Furthermore, transmitral early peak velocity (E) and late peak velocity (A), peak velocity of myocardial systolic wave (S (m)), early (E (m)) and atrial (A (m)) diastolic waves in athletes were higher than in controls. It seemed that the association of E (m) velocity with aortic distensibility was stronger than that of other LV parameters (coefficient = 0.74, p < 0.001) by using multiple linear regression. Increased aortic distensibility in endurance-trained athletes may cause better diastolic function as a physiological cardiovascular adaptation factor.     

组织多普勒成像及右室内压力变化速率评价肺心病患者右室功能

目的 探讨应用组织多普勒成像( TDI)技术及右室内压力变化速率(dp/dt)综合评价肺心病患者右室功能的临床价值.资料与方法 90例肺心病患者(肺心病组)和30例单纯三尖瓣反流患者(对照组)常规行超声心动图检查,用血流连续多普勒测量三尖瓣反流,估测肺动脉压(PG)及右心室室内压力变化速率( dp/dt).然后应用组织多普勒成像(TDI)技术从心尖四腔观获得右室侧壁三尖瓣环的运动速度频谱图,测量舒张早期负向E峰峰值速度(Em)、舒张晚期负向A蜂峰值速度(Am)及二者峰值比Em/Am,同时测量收缩期正向S蜂峰值速度(Sm).结果 肺心病组dp/dt、Em、Em /Am、Sm均低于对照组(P＜0.01),Am高于对照组(P＜0.01);肺心病患者右心收缩及舒张功能均减低,且dp/dt与PG呈负相关(r=-0.764,P＜ 0.01).结论 TDI及dp/dt可用于临床评价肺心病患者右心室功能的变化程度.     

定量组织多普勒对主动脉瓣硬化左室舒张功能的评价

目的:应用定量组织多普勒速度成像(QTVI)技术探测二尖瓣环舒张早、晚期运动速度,评价主动脉瓣硬化(AVS)病人左室舒张功能。方法:选择主动脉瓣硬化无主动脉瓣狭窄54例,主动脉瓣硬化伴主动脉瓣狭窄38例,正常对照组43例。取标准心尖四腔观,采用QTVI测定二尖瓣环侧壁段舒张早期最大运动速率(Em)、舒张晚期最大运动速率(Am);应用脉冲波多普勒测量二尖瓣口舒张早期最大流速曲线(E)和舒张晚期最大流速曲线(A)。结果:主动脉瓣硬化伴主动脉瓣狭窄组Em、Am均低于正常对照组和主动脉瓣硬化无主动脉瓣狭窄组(P<0.05),E、A均高于正常对照组和主动脉瓣硬化无主动脉瓣狭窄组(P<0.05);主动脉瓣硬化无主动脉瓣狭窄组与正常对照组相比,Em降低(P=0.015)、A明显升高(P<0.001);E、Am无显著性差异(P>0.05)。结论:主动脉瓣硬化患者左室舒张功能下降,组织多普勒较血流脉冲频谱多普勒更能敏感、精确地反映主动脉瓣硬化尤其是主动脉瓣硬化伴主动脉瓣狭窄患者的左室舒张功能改变。     

雌激素对左心室舒张功能影响的多谱勒超声心动图研究

目的:研究雌激素对左心室舒张功能的影响。材料和方法:利用多谱勒超声心动图记录了25例健康绝经后妇女二尖瓣口血流频谱,其中15例为雌激素替代治疗组,10例为对照组。所测参数有:舒张早期峰值速度(E),舒张晚期峰值速度(A),E加速度及减速度,并计算E/A比值及心房舒张晚期充盈分数(AFF)。结果:二组间左心室舒张期充盈明显不同,尤其是替代治疗组E/A比值高,AFF低,替代治疗组舒张早期充盈量大于对照组。结论:本研究表明长期雌激素替代治疗可以影响左心室舒张功能。     

Radionuclide assessment of left ventricular diastolic function in patients with mitral stenosis before and after percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy; use of list mode method in patients with atrial fibrillation

To evaluate the effect of percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC), equilibrium radionuclide angiocardiography was performed in eight patients with mitral stenosis who had atrial fibrillation. Accurate cardiac function in patients with atrial fibrillation is difficult to assess, since the wide fluctuation of cardiac cycle makes the ventricular hemodynamics variable. A new processing algorithm was devised to make multiple gated images discriminated from a heart rate distribution histogram. We obtained about 1,000 beats data by list mode acquisition, and processed a heart rate distribution histogram. The data in the area +/- 5% of the most frequent heart rate were converted into frame mode and a representative time activity curve was derived. Mitral valve area calculated by echocardiography increased from 1.3 +/- 0.5 to 2.0 +/- 0.6 (cm2) significantly (p less than 0.01). The mean transmitral pressure gradient measured by catheterization decreased from 12.4 +/- 5.9 to 4.9 +/- 3.7 (mmHg) significantly (p less than 0.01) and the clinical symptoms improved in all patients. The change in left ventricular ejection fraction from 43 +/- 9 to 48 +/- 13 (%) was not statistically significant, but peak filling rate (PFR) derived from the time activity curve increased from 1.5 +/- 0.3 to 2.0 +/- 0.4 (EDV/sec) significantly (p less than 0.01). Thus PFR is a noninvasive parameter that can evaluate the effect of PTMC.     

二尖瓣闭锁的MRI诊断

目的 分析二尖瓣闭锁（MA）的病理改变和MRI表现,方法 回顾分析5例经手术证实MA的MRI表现,并与心血管造影（CAG）比较,结果 显示了3型MA的病理改变：双心室左侧房室瓣无孔1例,右室型单心室左侧房室无连接3例,以及左室型单心室左侧房室瓣无孔1例,主要合并畸形有：房间隔膨出瘤1例,全肺静脉异位引流心上型1例,左肺动脉缺如1例及肺动脉狭窄4例,5例行右室和（或）右房造影,除1例外均难以显示MA解剖结构,结论 MRI在MA的诊断中有一定的临床应用价值。     

多普勒超声心动图评价左室舒张功能的临床应用进展

多普勒超声心动图评价左室舒张功能的检测途径主要包括频谱多普勒测定的二尖瓣口血流和肺静脉血流、组织多普勒成像测定的左室心肌长轴运动以及彩色M型多普勒测定的左室舒张早期血流传播速度，三种技术方法的综合分析能够对左室舒张功能作出比较准确的评价，并且为估测左室充盈压和估计预后提供重要的信息。     

超声心动图检查在评价乳腺癌化疗后左心功能中的价值研究

目的探讨超声心动图检查在评价乳腺癌化疗后左心功能中的价值。方法选取2019年7月至2021年6月在我院接受4个周期(T₁~T₄)以阿霉素为主化疗方案治疗的60例乳腺癌患者为研究对象,每个化疗周期后进行超声心动图检查,对比T₁~T₄后二维超声心动图参数[左心室收缩末期内径(LVDs)、左心室舒张末期内径(LVDd)、左心室射血分数(LVEF)、二尖瓣舒张早期最大血流速度/二尖瓣舒张晚期最大血流速度(E/A)、左心室后壁舒张末期厚度(LVPWT)、室间隔舒张末期厚度(IVST)]及左心房三维参数[左心房收缩末期容积(LAVmin)、左心房舒张末期容积(LAVmax)、左心房主动收缩前容积(LAVprep)]。结果化疗T₁~T₄后的LVDs、LVDd、LVEF、E/A、LVPWT、IVST相比,差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。化疗T₂~T₄后的LAVmin、LAVmax、LAVprep均高于T₁后,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论实时三维超声心动图可早期发现乳腺癌化疗药物引发的左心功能变化,有助于为临床及时调整用药方案提供参考。