Color Doppler tissue imaging to evaluate left atrial appendage function in patients with mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm

Two-dimensional color Doppler tissue imaging (CDTI) has so far been used, in general, to evaluate ventricular function. In this study, the left atrial appendage (LAA) tissue velocity was measured by CDTI. LAA function in 38 patients with mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm (SR) and 19 healthy subjects undergoing transesophageal echocardiography were examined by CDTI. Systolic tissue appendage velocity (SaV, m/s) was measured at the tip of the LAA in the basal short-axis view. LAA emptying (LAAEV) and filling (LAAFV) velocities (m/s) were also recorded 1 cm below the orifice of the appendage. LAA ejection fraction was also measured. In addition, two-dimensional imaging was used to determine the presence of thrombus and/or spontaneous echo contrast (SEC). Patients with mitral stenosis in SR had significantly decreased LAAEV, LAAFV, SaV, and LAA ejection fraction compared to controls (0.34 +/- 0.15 vs 0.72 +/- 0.17, 0.37 +/- 0.13 vs 0.63 +/- 0.19, 0.050 +/- 0.015 vs 0.071 +/- 0.093, and 39 +/- 14% vs 69 +/- 13%, respectively, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P < 0.001). Among the patients with mitral stenosis in SR, 10 patients had SEC and one had LAA thrombus. Compared with patients without SEC, patients with SEC had decreased LAAEV, LAAFV, SaV, and LAA ejection fraction (0.24 +/- 0.05 vs 0.37 +/- 0.16, 0.29 +/- 0.05 vs 0.39 +/- 0.14, 0.039 +/- 0.087 vs 0.055 +/- 0.015, and 28 +/- 14% vs 43 +/- 12%, respectively, P = 0.01, P = 0.02, P = 0.01, and P = 0.006). In conclusion, these results suggest that the LAA dysfunction may occur in patients with mitral stenosis in SR and CDTI can successfully be used for the quantification of contraction at the tip of the LAA.     

Systolic tissue velocity is a useful echocardiographic parameter in assessment of left atrial appendage function in patients with mitral stenosis

BACKGROUND: The incidence of thromboembolism remains high in patients with mitral stenosis (MS). The left atrial appendage (LAA) is a potential site for development of thrombus and LAA dysfunction is an independent predictor of thromboembolism. The LAA dysfunction is represented by reduced LAA late emptying velocity. But the magnitude of LAA flow velocities is dependent on acute changes in loading conditions. AIM: To investigate the value of the LAA tissue velocities obtained by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) in assessment of LAA function in MS patients with and without thromboembolic events. METHODS: The study population consisted of 98 isolated MS patients of 32 age and sex-matched healthy controls. All subjects underwent transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). LAA late peak emptying (LAAEV) and filling (LAAFV) flow velocities were recorded. LAA peak late tissue systolic (LSV) and diastolic (LDV) tissue velocities by TDI were measured. The patients were divided into three groups as Group I (n = 38, sinus rhythm and LAAEV > or = 25 cm/s), Group II (n = 26, sinus rhythm and LAAEV < 25 cm/s), and Group III (n = 34, atrial fibrillation). RESULTS: Twenty-one patients had thromboembolic events. LAAEV, LAAFV, LSV, and LDV were significantly reduced in patients with embolic events. Spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) density was strongly negative correlated with LSV, whereas weakly negative correlated with LAAEV. Multivariate regression analysis showed that LSV and the presence of SEC were independently associated with embolic events. CONCLUSION: LSV seems more reliable and useful parameter in evaluating LAA function. LAA function is more depressed among patients with embolic events.     

Tissue Doppler properties of the left atrial appendage in patients with mitral valve disease

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to compare the left atrial appendage (LAA) tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) with the classical LAA function parameters in patients with mitral valve disease. METHODS: Twenty patients who had pure mitral regurgitation (group 1), 20 patients who had pure rheumatic mitral stenosis (group 2), and 20 healthy patients (group 3) were included in this study. All the cases were sinus rhythm. In order to determine the LAA functions, LAA late filling (LAALF), and late emptying (LAALE) flow velocities and LAA fractional area change (LAAFAC) were measured. LAA tissue Doppler evaluations were obtained from the PW Doppler, which was placed on the LAA lateral wall in a transverse basal short-axis approach. LAA late systolic (LAALSW) and late diastolic (LAALDW) wave velocities were obtained from TDI records transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). RESULTS: There were no significant differences among groups 1, 2, and 3 in terms of age, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction, gender, and heart rate. No differences were observed between group 1 and the control group with respect to LAALE, LAALF, and LAAFAC. LAALE velocity and LAAFAC were significantly decreased in group 2 than group 1. LV diastolic diameter was significantly greater, whereas LAALSW and LAALDW velocities were significantly decreased in group 1 compared with group 3. There were no differences between groups 1 and 2 regarding to LAALSW and LAALDW velocities. LAALE, LAALF, LAALSW, LAALDW velocities, and LAAFAC were significantly decreased in group 2 than group 3. CONCLUSION: The TDI method may detect the LAA systolic dysfunctions, which cannot be detected using classical methods, on tissue level in patients with mitral regurgitation. In addition, the deterioration of the LAA functions at tissue level in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis was also detected.     

Mitral annular systolic velocity reflects the left atrial appendage function in mitral stenosis

BACKGROUND: Left atrial appendage (LAA) dysfunction is an independent predictor of thromboembolism in mitral stenosis (MS). OBJECTIVES: To investigate whether there is a relation between annular velocities obtained by tissue Doppler imaging and LAA function and to determine if the annular velocities can predict the presence of the inactive LAA in MS. METHODS: Eighty-five MS patients and 80 healthy controls were evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography and all patients underwent transesophageal echocardiography. The annular systolic (S-wave) and diastolic (E- and A-waves) velocities were recorded. Inactive LAA was defined as LAA emptying velocity <25 cm/sec. Patients were divided into three groups; group I (n = 43): sinus rhythm (SR) and LAA emptying velocity > or =25 cm/sec, group II (n = 15): SR and LAA emptying velocity <25 cm/sec and group III (n = 27): atrial fibrillation. RESULTS: Thrombus was detected in 12 patients and spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) was detected in 48 patients. Both S-wave and peak LAA emptying velocities were decreasing, while SEC frequency and density were increasing from group I to group III. There was a positive correlation between LAA emptying and S-wave velocities (P < 0.001, r = 0.682). Multivariate regression analysis showed that only S-wave is the independent predictor of inactive LAA (P = 0.001, odds ratio = 0.143, 95% CI = 0.047-0.434). In patients with SR, the cutoff value of S-wave was 13.5 cm/sec for the prediction of the presence of inactive LAA (sensitivity: 95.3%, specificity: 93.3%). CONCLUSIONS: S-wave is an independent predictor of inactive LAA and a useful parameter in estimating inactive LAA in MS with SR.     

A rapid method to quantify left atrial contractile function: Doppler tissue imaging of the mitral annulus during atrial systole.

AIMS: Assess the value of peak atrial systolic mitral annular velocity (Aann) measured by Doppler tissue echocardiography to quantify left atrial systolic function. METHODS: We studied a total of 61 adults; 10 subjects without history of heart disease and 51 patients with a history of atrial fibrillation or undergoing evaluation for left ventricular systolic or diastolic dysfunction. Aann was obtained by averaging peak atrial systolic mitral annular velocities from the septal, lateral, anterior, and inferior annulus. Left atrial fractional area change (FAC) and fractional volume change (FVC) during atrial systole were calculated. The correlation between peak atrial systolic mitral annular velocity (Aann) and left atrial systolic FAC and FVC was determined. RESULTS: Mean FAC and FVC were 27 +/- 12 and 40 +/- 14%, respectively; mean Aann was 11.2 +/- 3.2 cm/s. Linear regression analysis showed correlation between Aann and FAC (r = 0.71; p<0.001) and between Aann and FVC (r = 0.74; p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Peak systolic mitral annular velocity correlates well with left atrial systolic FAC and FVC, thus providing an easy means to assess left atrial systolic function.     

The feasibility of tissue Doppler acceleration as a new predictor of thrombogenesis in the left atrial appendage associated with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation

BACKGROUND: Tissue acceleration utilizing the tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) technique is a new marker of ventricular contraction. We evaluated whether the left atrial appendage (LAA) wall acceleration was associated with thrombosis in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). METHODS: Seven NVAF patients with thromboembolism (TE), eight without TE, and eight with normal sinus rhythm (NSR) were studied using transesophageal echocardiography. TDI was used to evaluate the LAA wall acceleration. RESULTS: There was a decrease in the peak flow velocity in the TE group compared with the other two groups. There was greater LAA expansion in NVAF with TE groups (with TE [8.9 +/- 2.1 cm(2)] compared with the group without TE [7.3 +/- 2.8 cm(2)]), but the difference was not statistically significant; the difference was statistically significant compared with the NSR group (5.3 +/- 1.2 cm(2); P = 0.0035). The average of the continuous 40-frames area where tissue Doppler acceleration (TDA) was >0.024 cm/sec(2) was significantly lower in the TE group (0.12 +/- 0.05 cm(2)) compared to the group without TE (0.33 +/- 0.17 cm(2); P = 0.0017) and NSR group (0.30 +/- 0.13 cm(2); P = 0.0042), although wall velocity was not significantly different comparing the two NVAF groups. Furthermore, peak flow velocity of LAA was well correlated with LAA wall acceleration (r = 0.864, P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: LAA wall acceleration obtained utilizing the TDI technique may be a new predictor of thrombogenesis in patients with NVAF.     

Effect of percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty on left atrial appendage function: Transesophageal echo study

BackgroundTo compare left atrial appendage (LAA) function by Doppler and Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) before and after percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty (PBMV).Materials and methodsFifty-nine patients with symptomatic rheumatic mitral stenosis who underwent PBMV were included in this study. LAA function was measured before and after PBMV. To study LAA function, LAA late emptying (LAALE) velocity, LAA late filling (LAALF) velocity, and LAA area change percentage (LAAAC %) were measured. In the DTI study, tissue Doppler velocities of the LAA, including peak early diastolic (E_LAA), peak late diastolic (A_LAA), and peak systolic (S_LAA), were measured.ResultsThere was significant increase in LAALE velocity, LAALF velocity, E_LAA, A_LAA, S_LAA waves measured by Doppler and DTI after PBMV compared with baseline (p < 0.001) but there was no significant change in LAAAC% (p = not significant). Spontaneous echo contrast was present in 10 of the 59 patients before the procedure. It completely disappeared (6 patients) or decreased (4 patients) after PBMV.ConclusionsOur results suggest that PBMV improves LAA function and, thereby, may have a favorable influence on future thromboembolic complications.     

组织多普勒对"缘对缘"二尖瓣成形术后左心室舒张功能评价

目的:EMVP技术将脱垂的二尖瓣叶相对应的前后叶缝合起来,形成一个双孔二尖瓣,从而改变了二尖瓣的解剖形态,本文旨在研究组织多普勒在"缘对缘"二尖瓣成形术后左心室舒张功能的作用.方法:30例二尖瓣关闭不全患者根据成形方式被分成A、B组,A组:15例二尖瓣后叶脱垂患者接受后叶楔形切除;B组:15例前叶或双叶脱垂患者接受"缘对缘"二尖瓣成形术,所有患者均同时接受二尖瓣环成形.术前及术后1周,运用彩色多普勒、组织多普勒测定患者左心室舒张功能指标,包括:术前和术后E峰与A峰血流速比值(E/A),舒张期E峰血流速度与舒张早期二尖瓣环的最大运动速度的比值(E/Em), 舒张早期二尖瓣环的最大运动速度与舒张晚期二尖瓣环的最大运动速度的比值(Em/Am).结果:A组与B组成形术后二尖瓣口面积及二尖瓣反流程度均明显减小,E/A、E/Em及Em/Am在手术前后组间及组内之间均无明显变化.结论:组织多普勒能较好客观地评价"缘对缘"二尖瓣成形后左心室舒张功能,"缘对缘"二尖瓣成形技术效果良好,对左心室的舒张功能无明显影响.     

Effects of left atrial compliance on left atrial pressure in pure mitral stenosis.

In mitral stenosis (MS), left atrial (LA) pressure is commonly elevated because of increased LA afterload. There is a wide spectrum of LA pressure in patients with MS, however, despite a similar mitral valve orifice area. LA compliance is an important determinant of both cardiovascular performance and pathological physiology. Few data are available, however, regarding the effects of LA compliance on LA pressure. We hypothesized that LA pressure may be higher in patients with decreased LA compliance. We analyzed the right heart and transseptal catheterization data in 47 patients (41 female, mean age 40 +/- 10 years) with pure MS and sinus rhythm. The magnitude of LA a and v waves was measured from transseptal catheterization. Fick's method was used to determine cardiac output. LA compliance was calculated by dividing the systolic rise in LA pressure (DeltaP(LA) = P(LA(v)) - P(LA(x))) into the stroke volume. LA size, mitral valve area (MVA), mean diastolic pressure gradient (MG), left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic and end-systolic dimensions were obtained by using two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify independent factors determining LA pressure. The mean MVA was 0.95 +/- 0.22 cm(2). MG and LA dimension were 11.2 +/- 5.2 mm Hg and 50.6 +/- 5.2 mm, respectively. The mean LA pressure and cardiac output obtained by cardiac catheterization were 23.4 +/- 8.4 mm Hg and 4.3 +/- 1.5 L/min, respectively. The calculated LA compliance was 4.9 +/- 2.8 cm(3)/mm Hg. Univariate analysis showed that factors associated with increased LA pressure were smaller MVA (r = -0.33, P < 0.05), higher MG (r = 0.69, P < 0.01) and lower LA compliance (r = -0.55, P < 0.01); among them, MG (beta coefficient 0.59, SE 0.19, P < 0.01) and LA compliance (beta coefficient -0.26, standard error 0.34, P < 0.05) were the strongest predictors of LA pressure. In conclusion, LA compliance, along with MG that reflects the severity of MS, is an important contributing factor determining LA pressure in patients with pure MS and sinus rhythm.     

Left atrial appendage function in patients with mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm.

AIMS: Left atrial appendage thrombi are believed to be the source of embolism in patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis in atrial fibrillation. There are a few studies which search the effects of left atrial appendage dysfunction in patients with mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm. METHODS AND RESULTS: Left atrial appendage function and flow patterns in 41 patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm and 11 healthy subjects were studied by transoesophageal echocardiography. Left atrial appendage flow profiles were recorded within the proximal third of the appendage. The left atrial appendage ejection fraction was expressed as (maximal area of appendage minimal area of appendage)/maximal area of appendage. In addition, two-dimensional imaging was used to determine the presence of spontaneous echocardiographic contrast and thrombus formation. Patients with mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm had significantly decreased left atrial appendage emptying and filling velocities compared to controls (0.40+/-0.15m/s vs 0.82+/-0.19 m/s and 0.42+/-0.21 m/s vs 0.68+/-0.28, respectively, P<0.001 and P<0.05). Compared with the control subjects, patients with mitral stenosis had significantly greater maximal area of the appendage and had reduced left atrial appendage ejection fraction (5.3+/-2.2 cm(2) vs 2.4+/-0.5 cm(2) and 50+/-16% vs 70+/-7%, respectively, P<0.001 and P<0.05). Of the patients with mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm, seven patients had spontaneous echocardiographic contrast and one of these had left atrial appendage thrombus. Compared with patients without spontaneous echocardiographic contrast, patients with spontaneous echocardiographic contrast had decreased left atrial appendage ejection fraction (33+/-21% vs 54+/-13%,P <0.01). One of the patients with mitral stenosis had central retinal artery occlusion, but thrombus was not observed in left atrial appendage. CONCLUSION: The study found that left atrial appendage dysfunction may occur in patients with mitral stenosis in sinus rhythm.     

The effect of transient balloon occlusion of the mitral valve on left atrial appendage blood flow velocity and spontaneous echo contrast

BACKGROUND: Spontaneous echo contrast (SEC) is a phenomenon that is commonly seen in areas of blood stasis. It is a slowly moving, cloud-like swirling pattern of "smoke" or increased echogenicity recorded on echocardiography. SEC is commonly seen in the left atrium of patients with mitral stenosis or atrial fibrillation. The presence of SEC has been shown to be a marker of increased thromboembolic risk. HYPOTHESIS: By using transesophageal echocardiography during percutaneous balloon mitral valvotomy (PBMV), the study investigated the relationship between SEC and varying left atrial appendage (LAA) blood flow velocity in the human heart. METHODS: Thirty-five patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis underwent percutaneous balloon mitral valvotomy with intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography monitoring. We alternatively measured LAA velocities and observed the left atrium for various grades of SEC (0 = none to 4 = severe) before and after each balloon inflation. RESULTS: Left atrial appendage maximal ejection velocity was reduced from 35 +/- 14 to 6 +/- 2 mm/s at peak balloon inflation and increased to 40 +/- 16 mm/s after balloon deflation. In comparison with the values before balloon inflation and after balloon deflation, LAA velocities were significantly lower (p < 0.001). New or increased SEC grade was observed during 54 of 61 (88%) inflations and unchanged in 7 (12%) inflations at peak balloon inflation. Spontaneous echo contrast became lower in grade after 55 balloon deflations (90%), completely disappeared after 18 deflations (30%), and remained unchanged after 6 deflations (10%). The mean time to achieve maximal SEC grade (2.5 +/- 1.2 s) coincided with the mean time to trough LAA velocities (2.3 +/- 1.1 s) after balloon inflation. Upon deflation, the mean time to lowest SEC grade (2.9 +/- 1.8 s) coincided with mean time to achieve maximal LAA velocities (2.7 +/- 1.6 s). CONCLUSION: During balloon inflation, the severity of SEC was enhanced with corresponding reduction in LAA flow velocity. Upon balloon deflation, SEC lightens or disappears with increase in LAA flow velocity.     

Left atrial size—A risk factor for left atrial thrombi in mitral stenosis

In a follow-up study, 77 patients with predominant mitral stenosis were examined to investigate the role of left atrial (LA) enlargement in LA thrombi. Fifteen (19.4%) patients had LA thrombi. Of these, 2 (13.3%) were in sinus rhythm and 13 (86.7%) in atrial fibrillation. Fourteen (93.3%) of the patients with LA thrombi had an LA size≥4.8 cm. Only one (6.7%) patient had an LA size of 4.4 cm and was in atrial fibrillation. The median LA size in patients with LA thrombi was 5.2 cm compared with 4.75 cm in patients without LA thrombi (p<0.01). The relative risk for LA thrombi in patients with an LA size≥4.8 cm compared with patients with an LA size<4.8 cm was 10.0 (95% confidence interval 1.4 to 71.4). It was thus confirmed that LA enlargement≥4.8 cm is an in dependent risk factor for LA thrombi in patients with mitral stenosis.     

Left atrial appendage function in prediction of paroxysmal atrial fibrilation in patients with untreated hypertension

The onset of AF results in a significant increase in mortality rates and morbidity in hypertensive patients and this rhythm disorder exposes patients to a significantly increased risk of cerebral or peripheral embolisms. Tissue Doppler imaging was found to be useful in early detection of myocardial dysfunction in several diseases. It was shown that tissue Doppler analysis of the walls of the left atrial appendage (LAA) can give accurate information about the function of the LAA in hypertensive patients. In this study, we aimed to investigate and identify the specific predictive parameters for the onset of AF in patients with hypertension with tissue Doppler imaging of LAA. We studied age and sex matched 57 untreated hypertensive patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) and 27 untreated hypertensive subjects without PAF. With transthoracic echocardiography, diastolic mitral A-velocity and LA maximal volume index which reflects reservoir function of left atrium was measured, with transesophageal echocardiography, LAA emptying velocity (LAA-PW D2) and tissue Doppler contracting velocity of LAA (LAA-TDI-D2) were measured. LA maximal volume index of the groups (22.28?±?3.59?mL/m² in Group 1 versus 20.37?±?3.97?mL/m² in Group 2, p?=?0.07) and diastolic mitral A-velocity [0.93 (0.59–1.84) m/s in patients with PAF versus 0.90 (0.62–1.76) m/s in patients without PAF, p?=?0.26] was not significantly different between study groups, during TEE, LAA-PW D2 (0.31?±?0.04?m/s in Group 1 versus 0.33?±?0.03?m/s in Group 2, p?=?0.034) and LAA-TDI-D2 (0.18?±?0.04?m/s in Group 1 versus 0.21?±?0.05?m/s in Group 2, p?=?0.014) were significantly decreased in Group 1. In this study, we found that in hypertensive PAF patients despite normal global LA functions, LAA contracting function was deteriorated. Tissue Doppler analysis of LAA is clinically usefull approach to detect the risk of developing PAF in hypertensives.     

重度二尖瓣狭窄合并左心耳血栓患者的球囊扩张术

目的　评价经皮二尖瓣球囊扩张术 (PBMV)治疗重度二尖瓣狭窄合并左心耳血栓的可行性、安全性和有效性。方法　选择经华法令抗凝治疗 12周以上的重度二尖瓣狭窄合并左心耳部位血栓患者 11例 ,男性 2例 ,女性 9例 ,年龄 2 5～ 6 2岁 ,平均 (40 6± 5 7)岁。采用Inoue单球囊技术行PBMV。术后随访 1年以上 ,观察术中及随访期间有无体循环血栓栓塞并发症。结果　手术成功率10 0 % ,术中及随访期间无 1例发生血栓栓塞并发症。术后即刻及随访期间血流动力学及心功能明显改善。结论　对于经适当的华法令抗凝治疗后的重度二尖瓣狭窄合并左心耳血栓的患者 ,PBMV不仅安全可行而且可取得满意的疗效。     

Echocardiographic study of left atrial thrombi in mitral stenosis

Sixty-nine patients with predominant mitral stenosis were examined by echocardiographic means to detect the presence of left atrial thrombi. Forty-nine of these patients were in sinus rhythm and twenty in atrial fibrillation. Four percent of patients in the sinus rhythm group and 45% of those in the atrial fibrillation group had left atrial thrombi. The two risk factors identified for left atrial thrombi in mitral stenosis were atrial fibrillation and left atrial enlargement.     

Huge, unattached left atrial thrombus in mitral stenosis

We describe certain clinical and morphologic findings in a 75-year-old woman in whom a large, spherical, nonadherent, clinically undetected thrombus developed in the left atrium in association with mitral stenosis.     

组织多普勒超声评价冠状动脉狭窄患者左心室舒张功能

目的探讨组织多普勒超声评价冠状动脉不同狭窄程度对左心室舒张功能的影响。方法在我院行冠状动脉造影检查的患者219例,根据造影结果分为3组,冠状动脉病变严重组(至少1支血管狭窄≥70%,A组),冠状动脉病变轻微组(血管狭窄70%,B组)和冠状动脉造影检查正常组(C组)。应用超声测量冠心病患者二尖瓣舒张早期血流峰值(E)与组织多普勒成像二尖瓣环舒张早期峰值(Em)的比值(E/Em)。结果 A组的E/Em较B、C组高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05,P0.01),B组与C组比较,E/Em差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论E/Em可检测出冠状动脉高度狭窄引起的左心室功能障碍。     

Strain and strain rate imaging in evaluating left atrial appendage function by transesophageal echocardiography

BACKGROUND: This study was planned to assess whether strain rate (Sr) and strain (S) echocardiography is a useful method for functional assessment of the left atrial appendage (LAA). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty-seven consecutive patients underwent a clinically indicated study. LAA late empty velocity (LAAEV) was calculated as a gold standard for left atrial appendage function. Real-time 2-dimensional color Doppler myocardial imaging data were recorded from the LAA at a high frame rate. Analysis was performed for LAA longitudinal strain rate and strain from midsegment of lateral wall of LAA. LAA strain determines regional lengthening expressed as a positive value or shortening expressed as a negative value. Peak systolic values were calculated from the extracted curve. RESULTS: Spearman correlation test results showed a statistically significant positive correlation was between the S, Sr variables and LAAEV (LAAEV vs S; r = 0.886, P < 0.001; LAAEV vs Sr: r = 0.897, P < 0.001, respectively). Strain and strain rate values were also significantly lower in patients with spontaneous echocardiographic contrast when compared with those without (strain; 2.42 +/- 0.98 vs 13.1 +/- 5.9, P < 0.001 and strain rate: 0.97 +/- 0.54 vs 3.34 +/- 1.15, P < 0.001, respectively). In addition, LAA strain and strain rate values were significantly lower in the patients with LAA thrombus (strain; 2.15 +/- 0.96 vs 8.35 +/- 6.9, P < 0.001, strain rate; 0.79 +/- 0.46 vs 2.30 +/- 1.48, P < 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: S and Sr imaging can be considered a robust technique for the assessment of the LAA systolic deformation.     

应用多普勒组织成像评价冠心病患者左心室舒张功能

目的 :探讨应用多普勒组织成像 （DTI）检测二尖瓣环运动速度评估冠心病左室舒张功能的临床应用价值。方法 :应用 DTI技术 ,对 5 3例冠心病患者和 48例正常对照者二尖瓣环运动速度进行测定 ,并与常规多普勒超声心动图检查结果对照分析。结果 :与正常组相比 ,冠心病患者舒张早期 DTI速度峰值 （Ve）显著减低 （P<0 .0 1） ,舒张早期与舒张晚期 DTI速度峰值的比值 （Ve/ Va）显著减低 （P<0 .0 5 ）。冠心病患者 Ve/ Va比值异常检出率显著高于二尖瓣血流 E/ A比值的异常检出率 （P<0 .0 5 ）。 Ve/ Va比值与 E/ A比值之间存在高度相关性 （P<0 .0 1）。结论 :DTI技术检测二尖瓣环舒张期运动速度参数可用于无创评价冠心病左室舒张功能 ,尤其对鉴别伪正常具有一定应用价值。     

Striking effect of left ventricular high filling pressure with mitral regurgitation on mitral annular velocity during early diastole. A study using colour M-mode tissue Doppler imaging.

AIMS: To evaluate the effect of considerably high left ventricular filling pressure with mitral regurgitation on mitral annular velocity during early diastole. SUBJECTS: Two hundred and forty-three patients who underwent cardiac catheterization for evaluation of chest pain. METHODS: Mitral annular velocity during early diastole was measured by colour M-mode tissue Doppler imaging. Patients were divided into the following three groups according to the cardiac catheterization data. Group A (n=147): patients having left ventricular relaxation time constant tau<46 ms and left ventricular end-systolic volume index <38 ml m(-2); group B (n=88): patients having tau>or=46 ms and/or end-systolic volume index >or=38 ml m(-2); group C (n=8): patients having mean pulmonary capillary wedge pressure >or=16 mmHg in addition to tau>or=46 ms and end-systolic volume index >or=38 ml m(-2). RESULTS: Mitral annular velocity during early diastole was significantly less in group B (4.8+/-1.4 cm s(-1)) than in group A (7.7+/-1.9 cm s(-1)). However, there was no significant difference between groups A and C (8.3+/-0.8 cm s(-1)). A transmitral E/A >1.0 was observed in 12/147 patients of group A, 10/88 of group B, and 8/8 of group C. The incidence of >or=Sellers' grade II mitral regurgitation was higher in group C than the others. CONCLUSIONS: A paradoxically faster mitral annular velocity during early diastole is found in patients having left ventricular dysfunction with moderate to severe mitral regurgitation and considerably high left ventricular filling pressure. Attention should be paid to an interpretation of mitral annular velocity during early diastole regarding left ventricular early diastolic performance in patients having mitral regurgitation with an E/A >1.0 in their transmitral flow.