Cardiac function as assessed by echocardiography in the oldest old > or = 90 years of age

Although several studies have demonstrated that cardiac diastolic function is impaired but cardiac systolic function is preserved with aging, no large-scale analysis of cardiac function by echocardiography in subjects aged > or = 90 years exists. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the cardiac structure and function in the oldest old in order to assess the effect of aging on cardiac function. Echocardiographic examination was performed in 1793 subjects who were in their fifties, sixties, seventies, eighties, and nineties. Left ventricular (LV) wall thickness and dimension were measured by M-mode echocardiography. LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was calculated and used as the parameter representing LV systolic function. LV diastolic function was assessed using the peak velocity of early rapid filling (E velocity) and the peak velocity of atrial contraction (A velocity), and the ratio of E to A (E/A) by the transmitral flow. The Tei index, which reflects both LV diastolic and systolic function, was also calculated. The E/A decreased progressively with aging, and demonstrated the closest correlation with age among all the indexes of cardiac function (r = -0.44, P < 0.001). In contrast, LVEF and the Tei index demonstrated a very weak correlation with age (r = -0.13, P < 0.001 and r = 0.16, P < 0.001, respectively). The mean value for LVEF remained normal with aging in all age strata (50s: 71 +/- 8%, 60s: 71 +/- 8%, 70s: 70 +/- 9%, and 80s: 71 +/- 10%), but decreased significantly in subjects in their 90s (66 +/- 10%, P < 0.001). In addition, the mean value for the Tei index also remained normal with aging in subjects in their 50s (0.35 +/- 0.10), 60s (0.38 +/- 0.14), 70s (0.38 +/- 0.12), and 80s (0.39 +/- 0.15), but showed an abnormal value in subjects in their 90s (0.45 +/- 0.12, P < 0.001). In conclusion, both diastolic dysfunction and systolic dysfunction with advancing age were observed in the oldest old aged > or = 90 years. The age-related impairment of systolic function as well as diastolic function should be considered when echocardiography is used to evaluate the causes of heart failure in the oldest old.     

Left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in normotensive diabetic patients in various age strata

Although patients with type 2 diabetes demonstrate cardiac diastolic dysfunction, it is well known that cardiac diastolic dysfunction is produced by hypertension and aging. The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the cardiac structure and function in normotensive patients with type 2 diabetes in various age strata in order to assess the effect of diabetes mellitus itself on cardiac function. Echocardiographic examination was performed in 77 normotensive patients with type 2 diabetes (age: 63+/-11 years) and 76 healthy control subjects (age: 60+/-11 years) who were in their forties, fifties, sixties, and seventies. The left ventricular (LV) wall thickness and dimension were measured by M-mode echocardiography. The relative wall thickness, LV mass index, and LV ejection fraction (LVEF) were calculated. LV diastolic function was assessed by the peak velocity of early rapid filling (E velocity) and the peak velocity of atrial filling (A velocity), and the ratio of E to A (E/A) using the transmitral flow velocity, which were obtained by Doppler echocardiography. No difference was observed in the relative wall thickness, LV mass index, or LVEF between the diabetic patients and control subjects in any of the age strata. The E/A ratio in the patients with type 2 diabetes was not different from that in the control subjects in their 40s (1.17+/-0.35 versus 1.20+/-0.36). However, E/A was significantly lower in the diabetic patients than in the control subjects in their 50s (0.87+/-0.28 versus 1.14+/-0.24), 60s (0.78+/-0.22 versus 0.97+/-0.27), and 70s (0.66+/-0.19 versus 0.84+/-0.21) (p<0.05). The duration of type 2 diabetes was significantly longer in patients in their 50s (7.0+/-2.5 years), 60s (8.0+/-3.2 years), and 70s (10.4+/-3.2 years) than in patients in their 40s (3.3+/-1.9 years) (p<0.001). The value of E/A in the diabetic patients correlated with the duration of type 2 diabetes (r=-0.62, p<0.001). These results indicate that cardiac diastolic dysfunction without LV systolic dysfunction in patients with well-controlled type 2 diabetes is related neither to hypertension nor LV hypertrophy, but rather to aging and the duration of type 2 diabetes.     

Latent cardiac dysfunction as assessed by echocardiography in bed-bound patients following cerebrovascular accidents: comparison with nutritional status

The aim of this study was to elucidate the cardiac function in bed-bound patients following cerebrovascular accidents. In accord with the criteria for activities of daily living (ADL) of the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, 51 age-matched poststroke patients without heart disease were classified into 3 groups: rank A (house-bound) (n = 16, age, 85 +/- 6 years), rank B (chair-bound) (n = 16, age, 84 +/- 8 years), and rank C (bed-bound) (n = 19, age, 85 +/- 9 years). Using echocardiography, the left ventricular (LV) diastolic function was assessed by the ratio of early filling (E) and atrial contraction (A) transmitral flow velocities (E/A) of LV inflow. LV systolic function was assessed by LV ejection fraction (LVEF), and the Tei index was also measured to assess both LV systolic and diastolic function. No difference was observed in the E/A and LVEF among the 3 groups. The Tei index was higher in rank C (0.56 +/- 0.17) than in rank A (0.39 +/- 0.06) and rank B (0.48 +/- 0.17), and a statistically significant difference was observed between rank A and rank C (P < 0.05). Serum albumin and blood hemoglobin were significantly lower in rank C (3.1 +/- 0.4 and 10.6 +/- 1.8 g/dL) than in rank A (4.1 +/- 0.3 and 12.4 +/- 1.2 g/dL) (P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). These results indicate that latent cardiac dysfunction and poor nutritional status may exist in bed-bound patients (rank C) following cerebrovascular accidents. The Tei index may be a useful index of cardiac dysfunction in bed-bound patients because it is independent of the cardiac loading condition.     

超声心动图评价高龄高血压患者左心室收缩与舒张功能

目的探讨超声心动图各指标评估高龄老年高血压患者左心室不同构型的收缩与舒张功能的临床价值。方法将高龄老年原发性高血压患者153例,按Ganau法分为4组:正常构型组(47例)、向心性重构型组(35例)、向心性肥厚型组(33例)和离心性肥厚型组(38例);另选无心肺疾病的患者65例为正常对照组。超声心动图测量舒张末期室间隔厚度(IVS)、左心室后壁厚度(LVPW)、左心室内径(LVEDD)、二尖瓣血流频谱图舒张早期与晚期血流峰值比(E/A)、LVEF及Tei指数。结果正常对照组及以上4组E/A均<1;离心性肥厚型组LVEF明显降低(P<0.05),正常构型组、向心性重构型组、向心性肥厚型组比较无显著差异;以上4组Tei指数与正常对照组比较差异有显著性意义(P<0.05),但4组间比较无显著差异,Tei指数和E/A无相关性,Tei指数和LVEF呈负相关(r为-0.594,P<0.001)。结论Tei指数较E/A及LVEF更能全面评价高龄老年高血压患者心脏的收缩和舒张功能。     

Mitral flow propagation velocity assessed with M-mode color Doppler in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy]

BACKGROUND: The role of diastolic disfunction in the setting of severe left ventricular (LV) disfunction is usually forgotten due to difficulties in quantification and interpretation. The propagation velocity (PV) of mitral inflow into the left ventricle has been proposed as a load independent indicator of LV diastolic function. Our aim was to correlate PV with age, body surface, chambers dimensions, wall thickness and with classic parameters of systolic and diastolic function. We had in mind the validation of this index in the quantification of LV filling and in risk stratification of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We prospectively studied 32 consecutive patients, mean age 56.1 +/- 15.7 years, 22 (68.75%) male, mean ejection fraction 28.1 +/- 7.5%. All of them were in NYHA class < or = II and on ACE inhibitors. Eight (25%) were on beta-blockers. Patients without sinus rhythm, paced or with significant hypertensive, congenital or valvular heart disease were previously excluded. The following parameters of LV systolic function were assessed by echocardiography: fractional shortening, ejection fraction and cardiac output. LV filling was assessed by transmitral flow pulsed Doppler analysis: isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), peak E and A wave velocities, E wave deceleration time (DT). We also evaluated a new Doppler index of combined systolic and diastolic myocardial performance (Tei index). PV (cm/s) was calculated by Color M-mode. Univariate regression analysis was performed (PV as dependent variable). RESULTS: We detected a high prevalence of diastolic function disturbances: 25 (78.1%) patients with a delayed relaxation pattern and only 3 (9.4%) with a restrictive pattern. PV did not correlate with age, body surface and LV geometry. There was a significant correlation between PV and E/A ratio (r = 0.61; p < 0.0001), IVRT (r = -0.50; p = 0.006), DT (r = -0.41; p = 0.01) and Tei index (r = -0.36; p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that, in patients with a predominance of delayed relaxation, there is a strong relationship between PV and the classic parameters of LV filling. For similar levels of systolic impairment, PV could be an easy, fast and reproducible quantitative indicator of severity on DC.     

Assessment of the Tei index by tissue Doppler imaging in patients with acromegaly: serum growth hormone level is associated with the Tei index

BACKGROUND: The Tei index reflects both systolic and diastolic ventricular function. The aim of this study was to assess the Tei index by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and also to evaluate the correlation with growth hormone (GH) and the Tei index and left ventricular (LV) function assessed by TDI in patients with acromegaly. METHODS: We prospectively evaluated 25 patients with acromegaly and 27 control subjects. LV systolic and diastolic function was assessed by conventional echocardiography and TDI. RESULTS: Peak E velocity and E/A ratio were lower in those with acromegaly than in those without (P = 0.01; P = 0.002, respectively). Deceleration time of the mitral E-wave (P = 0.01) and isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) (P = 0.01) were higher in acromegalic patients than those in controls (P = 0.006, P = 0.002). Em (P = 0.01) and Em/Am (P = 0.001) were lower in patients with acromegaly than in controls. In patients with acromegaly, the Tei index was significantly higher than that in controls (0.49 +/- 13.4 vs 0.39 +/- 5.2, P = 0.005). GH was positively correlated with the Tei index (r = 0.65, P = 0.041), Em/Am (r = 0.63, P = 0.021), and interventricular septum (IVS) thickness (r = 0.65, P = 0.008) only in patients with acromegaly. LV diastolic dysfunction was detected 36% by conventional echocardiography and 48% by the Tei index derived from TDI in acromegalic patients. CONCLUSION: TDI analysis of mitral annular velocities is useful to assess LV diastolic dysfunction in patients with acromegaly. GH was positively correlated with the Tei index and LV diastolic dysfunction. The Tei index may be superior to conventional mitral Doppler indices for identification of LV diastolic dysfunction in patients with acromegaly.     

Cardiac abnormalities as a new manifestation of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: echocardiographic and tissue Doppler imaging assessment

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is linked to the metabolic syndrome. The aim of the present study is to determine the effect of the metabolic syndrome on left ventricular (LV) geometry and function using as a model patients with NAFLD. Thirty-eight patients with NAFLD, less than 55 years of age and with a normal exercise test, were compared with an age and sex-matched control group. Patients with diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and body mass index>40 were excluded. A complete echocardiographic study including tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) was performed. The following parameters were assessed by echo Doppler: peak velocities of early (E) and late (A) diastolic filling, E/A ratio, flow propagation velocity (Vp). Using TDI early diastolic velocity (E'), and systolic velocity (S') of mitral annulus were obtained. The patients with NAFLD had a significantly higher body mass index (31.4+/-5 vs. 26.4+/-4 kg/m, P=0.01), higher glucose (100.6+/-13 vs. 83.0+/-10 mg/dL, P=0.01), and triglyceride levels (126.5+/-44 vs. 206.5+/-67 mg/dL, P<0.001). Increased thickness of the intraventricular septum, posterior wall (11.03+/-2.2 vs. 8.9+/-2.9 mm, P=0.001; 8.5+/-1.7 vs. 9.7+/-2.3 mm, P=0.04), and larger LV mass and LV mass/height (160.7+/-58.7 vs.115.3+/-35.4 g, P=0.001 and 92.6+/-29.5 vs. 69.2+/-19.8 g/m, P=0.001, respectively) were found in NAFLD group. LV systolic function was similar in both groups. Patients with NAFLD had a lower E (73.6+/-11.0 vs. 86.4+/-20.0 cm/s, P<0.006) and E/A ratio (1.0+/-0.3 vs. 1.76+/-0.8 P<0.0001). Moreover, the Vp and the E' on TDI were significantly lower compared with the control group (49.0+/-9.7 vs. 74.7+/-18.4 cm/s, P<0.0001 and 10.3+/-2.0 vs. 13.8+/-1.7 cm/s, P<0.0001, respectively). On multivariate analysis the E' on TDI was the only independent parameter associated with NAFLD. In conclusion, patients with NAFLD in the absence of morbid obesity, hypertension, and diabetes have mildly altered LV geometry and early features of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. Early diastolic velocity on TDI was found to be the only index that could identify the patients with NAFLD and metabolic syndrome.     

Differentiation of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, identification of pseudonormal/restrictive mitral inflow pattern and determination of left ventricular filling pressure by Tei index obtained from tissue Doppler echocardiography

BACKGROUND: Tei index obtained from tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE-Tei index) has an inherent advantage of recording its systolic and diastolic components simultaneously on the same cardiac cycle. The aims of this study are to evaluate whether TDE-Tei index also exerts a correlation with left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function and filling pressure and to see whether it can effectively identify the pseudonormal/restrictive mitral filling pattern. METHODS: Echocardiographic examination was performed in 243 consecutive patients. These patients were classified into three groups as normal, abnormal relaxation, and pseudonormal/restrictive groups according to the transmitral E/A-wave velocity (E/A), early diastolic velocity of lateral mitral annulus (Ea) and E/Ea. RESULTS: Standard Doppler indices of LV filling such as E, A, E/A, and E-wave deceleration time had a bimodal distribution, but Ea decreased and E/Ea and TDE-Tei index increased progressively with worsening of LV diastolic function. The sensitivity and specificity of TDE-Tei index>0.51 in the discrimination of pseudonormal/restrictive filling pattern were 85% and 96%, respectively. After stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, TDE-Tei index had a significant negative correlation with Ea (beta=-0.296, P<0.001) and ejection fraction (beta=-0.293, P<0.001) and positive correlation with E/Ea (beta=0.235, P=0.001). CONCLUSIONS: TDE-Tei index increased with worsening of LV diastolic function and can effectively identify the pseudonormal/restrictive mitral inflow pattern. It also correlated with the echocardiographic parameters of LV systolic and diastolic function and filling pressure. It suggests that TDE-Tei index is a simple and feasible marker in assessing global LV function.     

尿毒症维持性血液透析患者左心室构型和功能的超声心动图研究

目的 评价尿毒症维持性血液透析患者的左心室形态学及舒张、收缩功能.方法 入选尿毒症维持性血液透析患者40例(尿毒症组),正常人45例(对照组).应用常规超声心动图、组织多普勒、实时三维超声心动图的多项指标对比分析尿毒症组左心室形态学改变、左心室重构类型;分析左心窒舒张和收缩功能变化,并对舒张功能异常进行分级;评价左心窜收缩及舒张的同步性.结果 尿毒症组的室壁厚度、左心室质量指数、左心室质量/容积比值显著性高于对照组(P<0.01),左心室构型以向心型肥厚为主(占50.0%),其次为向心型重构和偏心型肥厚(各占17.5%).尿毒症组的各项舒张功能指标与对照组差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),舒张功能异常以松弛功能受损类型居多(占85.0%),其中38.2%伴有左心室充盈压升高.尿毒症组的左心室射血分数、每搏量与对照组差异无统计学意义,但组织多普勒二尖瓣环收缩期运动速度显著低于对照组(P<0.05).左心室收缩不同步指标两组差异无统计学意义,舒张不同步指标尿毒症组显著高于对照组(P<0.05).结论 左心室肥厚、心肌质量增加和左心室舒张功能异常是尿毒症维持性血透患者心肌损害最突出的特征,舒张功能异常的出现早于收缩功能异常.     

Role of tissue Doppler and color M-mode imaging for evaluation of diastolic function in ambulatory patients with LV systolic dysfunction

INTRODUCTION: Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and color M-mode (CMM) indices provide assessment of left ventricular (LV) relaxation when combined with pulse-wave Doppler (PWD)-derived transmitral inflow, allows for estimation of LV filling pressures. However, use of these indices in patients with LV systolic dysfunction (LVSD) has not been well characterized. METHODS AND RESULTS: The study included 115 patients (age 58 +/- 11 years, 67% male) with LVSD (LV ejection fraction [LVEF] < 55%). Patients were grouped according to the diastolic LV filling pressure assessed by E/Em(septal) ratio as follows: 1) Normal (NFP), E/Em(septal) < 8; 2) Intermediate (IFP), E/Em(septal): 8-15; and 3) High (HFP), E/Em(septal) >15. Age-, gender-, and LVEF-adjusted analyses were performed. LV volumes and LVEF were significantly different between the groups (P < 0.01). PWD-derived E-wave velocity showed a significant stepwise increase across the three groups and the Em(septal) velocity demonstrated a stepwise decrease (P < 0.01 for both). CMM-derived diastolic intra-ventricular pressure gradient (IVPG) was significantly lower in the HFP compared to the other 2 groups (P < 0.01 for both); Vp was increased in the HFP compared to the other 2 groups (P < 0.01 for both), and Vp exhibited a U-shape relationship to LVEF. CONCLUSION: In patients with LVSD, abnormal LV relaxation is uniformly observed regardless of LV filling pressure. PWD-derived E-wave velocity and the TDI-derived Em velocity are important measurements to identify elevated LV filling pressures. CMM-derived Vp and IVPG were of limited incremental value for the evaluation of diastolic function in patients with LVSD.     

Assessment of left ventricular diastolic function and Tei index by tissue Doppler imaging in patients with Cushing's Syndrome

Background: The aim of this study was to assess left ventricular (LV) function and the Tei index by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), and also to evaluate the relationship of serum cortisol level with the Tei index and LV function in patients with Cushing's Syndrome (CS). Methods: We prospectively evaluated 22 patients with CS and 23 control subjects. LV function was assessed by echocardiography. Early diastolic (Em), late diastolic (Am), peak systolic (Sm), mitral annular velocities, Em/Am, the Tei index, and E/Em were calculated by TDI. Mitral inflow velocities, color M-mode flow propagation velocity (Vp), relative wall thickness (RWT), and LV mass index (LVMI) were assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography. Result: Peak (E) velocity and the ratio of E to peak late (A) velocity (E/A) were lower in those with CS than in those without. Patients with CS had significantly higher RWT, IVRT, and LVMI than those controls. Vp was lower in the CS-patients than that in control subjects. Em and Em/Am were lower in patients with CS than those in controls. In patients with CS, the Tei index was significantly higher than control subjects. Conclusion: Serum cortisol level was positively correlated with the Tei index and E/Em ratio but negatively correlated with Em, Sm, and EF only in patients with CS. Serum cortisol level positively correlated with the Tei index and E/Em ratio but negatively correlated with Em, EF, and Sm. The parameters obtained from lateral mitral annulus by TDI can be used for identification of LV diastolic dysfunction in patients with CS.     

Determinants of Doppler indexes of left ventricular diastolic function in normal subjects (the Framingham Heart Study).

Normative Doppler values and determinants of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in healthy subjects have not been fully elucidated. Subjects from the Framingham Heart Study were examined to describe reference values and determinants of echocardiographic Doppler indexes of diastolic function. One hundred twenty-seven randomly selected, rigorously defined, normal subjects, approximately evenly distributed by sex and age from the third through the eighth decades were studied by Doppler echocardiography. Normative values for 7 frequently used Doppler indexes of LV diastolic function are presented. Doppler indexes of LV diastolic function change dramatically with age; the peak velocity of early filling divided by late filling (peak velocity E/A) ranges from a mean of 2.08 +/- 0.55 for subjects in their third decade to 0.84 +/- 0.29 for those in their eighth decade. A peak velocity E/A ratio less than 1 is abnormal in subjects aged less than 40 years, but occurs in most subjects aged greater than or equal to 70 years. The high correlations between age and Doppler indexes of LV diastolic function are not greatly attenuated after adjustment for other clinical parameters associated with diastolic function; the multivariate partial correlation coefficient between age and peak velocity E/A is -0.80 (p less than 0.0001). Heart rate, PR interval, LV systolic function, sex and systolic blood pressure are minor determinants of Doppler indexes of diastolic function. Body mass index, left atrial diameter, and LV wall thickness, internal dimension and mass have little or no association with Doppler indexes in healthy subjects.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in asymptomatic patients with moderate aortic stenosis

Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) has improved the ability to detect subclinical changes in left ventricular (LV) function. The aim of this study was to investigate if asymptomatic patients with moderate aortic stenosis (AS) had impaired LV systolic and diastolic function. Fifty patients (mean age 65 +/- 12 years) recruited into the multicenter Simvastatin + Ezetimibe in Aortic Stenosis (SEAS) study with aortic peak velocities of 2.5 and 4.0 m/s were compared with 26 healthy subjects (mean age 64 +/- 12 years) (p = NS). Peak systolic tissue velocities and strain were measured at 8 LV locations and averaged. Early diastolic tissue velocity from the septal mitral annulus (E'sep) was measured as an index of LV relaxation. The ratio of early diastolic transmitral pulsed Doppler (E) to E'sep (E/E'sep) was calculated as an index of LV filling pressure. Peak systolic tissue velocity (4.1 +/- 1.0 vs 4.8 +/- 1.1 cm/s, p <0.01) and strain (-16.6 +/- 2.7% vs -17.9 +/- 2.0%, p <0.05) were decreased in patients with AS compared with controls. E'sep was decreased (4.9 +/- 1.0 vs 5.8 +/- 1.3 cm/s, p <0.01) and E/E'sep was increased (17.4 +/- 9.7 vs 11.7 +/- 3.8, p <0.01) in the AS group compared with the control group. In conclusion, asymptomatic patients with moderate AS have impaired LV systolic function as measured by reduced peak systolic tissue velocity and strain. Augmented LV filling pressure measured by E/E'sep and impaired LV relaxation measured by reduced E'sep also indicate diastolic dysfunction in these patients.     

Racial differences in left ventricular structure in healthy young adults.

Racial differences in cardiac structure and function were evaluated in 62 black and 71 white healthy young adults. Left ventricular (LV) mass index, relative wall thickness, fractional shortening, resting cardiac index and resting systemic vascular resistance index were estimated using M-mode echocardiography. Pulsed Doppler interrogation of transmitral flow was used to characterize LV filling. Average daytime blood pressure (BP) was determined by ambulatory monitoring during a typical work or school day. Ambulatory daytime BP averaged 127 +/- 12/80 +/- 7 mm Hg in black subjects, and 127 +/- 9/80 +/- 6 mm Hg in white subjects (p = not significant). The 2 groups were also similar in resting BP, age and gender composition. Relative wall thickness was significantly greater in black than in white subjects (0.37 +/- 0.06 vs 0.34 +/- 0.05; p less than 0.01). This difference was found in both men and women. Black subjects also had a higher resting systemic vascular resistance index (2,110 +/- 570 vs 1,920 +/- 500 dynes.s.cm-5.m2; p less than 0.05) and lower resting cardiac index (3.14 +/- 0.84 vs 3.46 +/- 0.85 L/min/m2; p less than 0.05). There were no significant differences between black and white subjects in LV mass index, fractional shortening and normalized peak filling velocity. These results suggest that racial differences in LV structure and systemic hemodynamics exist even in patients without sustained hypertension. In our study population, the greater relative wall thickness in black subjects was not accompanied by significant differences in LV systolic function or diastolic filling.     

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.     

Metabolic syndrome and morphofunctional characteristics of the left ventricle in clinically hypertensive nondiabetic subjects

BACKGROUND: The study was aimed to evaluate the impact of the metabolic syndrome on left ventricular (LV) structure and function in nondiabetic patients, never treated with antihypertensive or lipid-lowering drugs. METHODS: Eighty-eight patients, with recent finding of clinic BP >140 or 90 mm Hg, underwent 24-h blood pressure (BP) monitoring, echocardiogram, evaluation for metabolic syndrome (Adult Treatment Panel III criteria). RESULTS: Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed in 38 subjects (43.2%) (metabolic syndrome+). Age, gender, 24-h systolic and diastolic BP were similar between metabolic syndrome+ and metabolic syndrome- groups, whereas body mass index, clinic and 24-h heart rate, fasting glycemia, and triglycerides were significantly higher and HDL-cholesterol lower in metabolic syndrome + subjects. The prevalence of sustained hypertension (24-h BP >125 or 80 mm Hg) was similar between the two groups. Relative wall thickness and LV mass were significantly greater in the metabolic syndrome+ group, also after correction for body mass index. The LV systolic function was similar between the two groups, whereas all the parameters of diastolic function, but the mitral E/A ratio, were significantly lower in the metabolic syndrome+ group. From multiple regression analysis the main independent determinant of LV mass index was the presence of metabolic syndrome, followed by the 24-h systolic BP. CONCLUSIONS: Nondiabetic patients with metabolic syndrome showed more pronounced alterations of LV geometry and function compared with subjects without metabolic syndrome. These greater preclinical myocardial abnormalities were not accounted for by difference in age, gender, or 24-h BP and can be reasonably ascribed to the interplay of the metabolic syndrome components, making the metabolic syndrome in itself a relevant clinical problem, possibly a cardiovascular disease equivalent, that deserves aggressive treatment.     

Early predictors of alterations in left atrial structure and function related to left ventricular dysfunction in asymptomatic patients with hypertension

Our aim was to investigate the relationships between left atrial (LA) structural and functional changes and left ventricular (LV) dysfunction related to LV pressure overload in asymptomatic patients with hypertension. One hundred and twenty-six asymptomatic patients with hypertension and LV ejection fraction (EF) ≥60% were studied. Conventional, pulsed and tissue Doppler, and two-dimensional speckle-tracking echocardiography (2DSTE) were performed to seek the independent determinants for alterations in LA structure and function. LA volume index (LAVI) correlated with age, body mass index (BMI), end-diastolic ventricular septal thickness (VSth), end-diastolic LV posterior wall thickness, relative LV wall thickness (RWT), LV mass index, peak A velocity of transmitral flow, E/e’, and peak systolic and early diastolic LA strains and strain rates. Peak LA strain during ventricular systole (S-LAs) correlated with age, BMI, heart rate (HR), end-systolic LV diameter, LAVI, VSth, RWT, LVEF, e’, E/e’, peak systolic LV radial strain, and peak early diastolic LV longitudinal strain rate. Multivariate regression analyses indicated that LV mass index, peak A velocity, E/e’, and S-LAs are defined as strong predictors related to LAVI, and that BMI, HR, LAVI, and peak systolic LV radial strain are defined as strong predictors related to S-LAs. In conclusion, 2DSTE demonstrated that alterations in LA structure and function are mainly associated with LV diastolic and systolic dysfunction, respectively, in preclinical patients with hypertension.     

Lack of inertia force of late systolic aortic flow is a cause of left ventricular isolated diastolic dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease.

OBJECTIVES: We investigated whether a lack of inertia force of late systolic aortic flow and/or apical asynergy provoke early diastolic dysfunction in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). BACKGROUND: Left ventricular (LV) isolated diastolic dysfunction is a well-recognized cause of heart failure. METHODS: We evaluated LV apical wall motion and obtained left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) by left ventriculography in 101 patients who underwent cardiac catheterization to assess CAD. We also computed the LV relaxation time constant (Tp) and the inertia force of late systolic aortic flow from the LV pressure (P)-first derivative of left ventricular pressure (dP/dt) relation. Using color Doppler echocardiography, we measured the propagation velocity of LV early diastolic filling flow (Vp). Patients with LVEF > or =50% (preserved systolic function [PSF], n = 83) were divided into 2 subgroups: patients with inertia force (n = 53) and without inertia force (n = 30). No patient with systolic dysfunction (SDF) (LVEF <50%) had inertia force (n = 18). RESULTS: The Tp was significantly longer in patients with SDF (85.7 +/- 21.0 ms) and with PSF without inertia force (81.1 +/- 23.6 ms) than in those with PSF with inertia force (66.3 +/- 12.8 ms) (p< 0.001). The Vp was significantly less in the former 2 groups than in the last group. In patients with PSF, LV apical wall motion abnormality was less frequently observed in those with inertia force than in those without (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: An absence of inertia force in patients with PSF is one of the causes of isolated diastolic dysfunction in patients with CAD. Normal LV apical wall motion is substantial enough to give inertia to late systolic aortic flow.     

原发性高血压患者左心室功能的临床研究

目的探讨原发性高血压患者左心室功能的临床研究。方法原发性高血压患者176例,按Ganau法分为4型:正常构型组(A组)46例、向心性重构组(B组)53例、向心性肥厚组(C组)40例、离心性肥厚组(D组)37例;正常对照组35例。超声心动图测量舒张末室间隔厚度(IVS)、左心室后壁厚度(LVPW)及左心室舒张末期内径,二尖瓣血流频谱左心室舒张早期血流峰速(E),舒张晚期血流峰速(A)值比,左心室射血分数(LVEF)及Tei指数。各组血浆脑钠肽(BNP)浓度对比分析。结果正常对照组与高血压各组比较,在年龄、性别均差异无显著性意义,C组、D组收缩压最高,左心房内径最大(P<0.05);B组、D组IVS、LVPW轻度增厚(P<0.05);高血压各组的E/A值均降低(P<0.05),LVEF值只有D组与正常对照组比较差异有显著性意义;各组Tei指数差异有显著性意义;BNP在B组、C组、D组差异有显著性意义。结论Tei指数,BNP共同评价原发性高血压患者不同左心室构型的心功能情况,对原发性高血压的治疗效果和预后有临床应用价值。     

Correlates of diastolic filling abnormalities in hypertension: a Doppler echocardiographic study

Hypertension and aging are both associated with changes of left ventricular (LV) diastolic filling and increased LV mass. To determine whether diastolic filling abnormalities are present in hypertension independent of aging and significant hypertrophy, we studied 19 hypertensive patients following a period of 4 weeks when they were not receiving therapy and 18 normotensive subjects matched for sex, age, and LV mass. All subjects had normal systolic function and ejection fraction as assessed by radionuclide angiography. We measured peak velocity of early filling (E), late filling (A), and their ratio (E/A) by Doppler echocardiography. Filling indices were abnormal in hypertensive patients, but none of the filling indices were significantly correlated with LV mass. E was inversely related to age (r = -0.62; p less than 0.01) and diastolic blood pressure (r = 0.45; p less than 0.05) in normotensive individuals, but these correlations were not significant in hypertensive patients. E was not significantly correlated to LV mass or wall thickness. In contrast, A was influenced by septal wall thickness and blood pressure in both groups. E/A correlated inversely with age in both normal individuals (r = -0.74) and hypertensive patients (r = -0.51). These findings indicate that diastolic filling abnormalities in hypertension are not solely caused by either LV hypertrophy or by aging and therefore must be in part related to the hemodynamic load or altered myocardial or chamber properties.