Left and right ventricular systolic long-axis function and diastolic function in patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy

Aims: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy is characterized by apical wall motion abnormalities without coronary stenosis. Limited information is available on the genesis of the underlying reversible contractile disorder. Our objective in this prospective study was to investigate biventricular changes in systolic long‐axis function and diastolic parameters in the acute phase and after recovery. Methods and results: Thirteen consecutive patients were examined by echocardiography and coronary angiography at admission and again by echocardiography after 3 months. Amplitudes, systolic and diastolic velocities of the mitral and tricuspid annuli and conventional diastolic parameters were measured. Systolic long‐axis shortening of the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) improved from 9·6 ± 2·2 mm to 11·2 ± 1·9 mm (P = 0·02) and from 21·3 ± 3·6 mm to 24·1 ± 2·8 mm (P = 0·02), respectively. LV systolic, early and late diastolic velocities measured by pulsed‐wave tissue Doppler also improved, while additional conventional diastolic parameters of the LV and RV diastolic function were unchanged. Conclusions: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy temporarily affects systolic LV and RV function, while most diastolic parameters remain unchanged.     

Comparison between maximal early diastolic velocity in long-axis direction obtained by M-mode echocardiography and by tissue Doppler in the assessment of right ventricular diastolic function

Recently the maximal early diastolic velocity in long-axis direction of the right ventricle (RV) obtained by tissue Doppler imaging (MDV TDI) has been introduced in the assessment of RV diastolic function (RVDF). There are reasons to think that also the maximal early diastolic velocity in long-axis direction of the RV obtained using M-mode echocardiography (MDV TAM) could be used to assess RVDF. Therefore, 29 patients were examined with echocardiography and MDV TAM and MDV TDI were measured and compared. A good correlation (r = 0.76, P < 0.001) was found between MDV TAM and MDV TDI indicating that MDV TAM might be used in the assessment of RVDF. However, the velocities obtained by MDV TDI (126.7 +/- 38.9 mm s(-1)) were significantly (P < 0.001) higher than the velocities obtained by MDV TAM (78.3 +/- 27.8 mm s(-1)) and the agreement between MDV TAM and MDV TDI was rather poor probably mainly due to differences in the measuring technique. This means that reference values cannot be used interchangeably between MDV TAM and MDV TDI. If MDV TAM is going to be used in the assessment of RVDF new reference values have to be produced if today's technique and recommendations to measure MDV TAM and MDV TDI are used. However, as most new echocardiographs are equipped with PW-TDI technology it seems preferable to use this technique and compare obtained values with already established reference values.     

The relation between mitral annulus motion and left ventricular ejection fraction in atrial fibrillation

Mitral annulus motion (MAM) has recently been introduced as an index of left ventricular function. Previous studies have shown a good agreement between MAM (mm) × 5 and ejection fraction in middle‐aged and elderly patients. These studies only included patients with sinus rhythm, while patients with atrial fibrillation were excluded. In the present study, MAM was reduced in patients with atrial fibrillation while ejection fraction (EF) did not differ from age‐matched control patients with sinus rhythm. The ‘conversion factor’ (EF/MAM) was 7·2 in the group with atrial fibrillation and 5·1 in controls with sinus rhythm. This difference must be taken into account when MAM is used to estimate left ventricular function in patients with atrial fibrillation. Patients with atrial fibrillation had lower stroke volume and higher heart rate than patients with sinus rhythm. A decreased systolic long‐axis shortening was found (P<0·005) compared to patients with sinus rhythm, but no difference in short‐axis diameter shortening.     

Atrioventricular plane displacement correlates closely to circulatory dimensions but not to ejection fraction in normal young subjects

Aims Mitral atrioventricular plane displacement (AVPD) provides information about left ventricular systolic function. M‐mode of systolic annulus amplitude or tissue Doppler imaging of systolic annulus velocity are the current methods of evaluating AVPD. A correlation to ejection fraction (EF) has been demonstrated in patients with coronary artery disease and left ventricular dysfunction. Our aim was (i) to investigate the mitral AVPD of normal subjects with different physical work capacities and (ii) to further evaluate AVPD as an index of left ventricular systolic function. Methods and results Twenty‐eight healthy men mean age 28 years (20–39) were included: endurance trained (ET) (n=10), strength trained (ST) (n=9) and untrained (UT) (n=9). The systolic AVPD was recorded at four sites, septal, lateral, anterior and posterior, using M‐mode. Left ventricular volumes were calculated according to Simpson’s rule. Systolic AVPD was higher in endurance trained, 16·9 ± 1·5 mm, as compared with both strength trained, 13 ± 1·6 (P<0·001) and untrained, 14 ± 1·6 (P<0·001). Left ventricular systolic AVPD correlated strongly with end‐diastolic volume (r=0·82), stroke volume (r=0·80) and maximal oxygen consumption per body weight (r=0·72). The correlation between AVPD and EF was poor (r=0·22). Conclusion In the subjects studied, with a range of normal cardiac dimensions, AVPD correlated to stroke volume, end‐diastolic volume and maximal oxygen consumption per body weight, but not to EF. On theoretical grounds, it also seems reasonable that a dimension like AVPD is related to other cardiac dimensions and volumes, rather than to a fraction, like EF. AVPD is one parameter that is useful for evaluation of left ventricular systolic function but is not interchangeable with other measurements such as EF.     

Effect of pacing-induced ventricular dyssynchrony on right ventricular function

Background: Asynchronous electrical activation induced by right ventricular (RV) pacing can cause several abnormalities in left ventricular (LV) function. However, the effect of ventricular pacing on RV function has not been well established. We evaluated RV function in patients undergoing long‐term RV pacing. Methods: Eighty‐five patients and 24 healthy controls were included. After pacemaker implantation, conventional echocardiography and strain imaging were used to analyze RV function. Strain imaging measurements included peak systolic strain and strain rate. LV function and ventricular dyssynchrony by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) were assessed. Intra‐ and interobserver variabilities of TDI parameters were tested on 15 randomly selected cases. Results: All patients were in New York Heart Association functional class I or II and percentage of ventricular pacing was 96 ± 4%. RV apical induced interventricular dyssynchrony in 49 patients (60%). LV dyssynchrony was found in 51 patients (60%), when the parameter examined was the standard deviation of the time to peak myocardial systolic velocity of all 12 segments greater than 34 ms. Likewise, septal‐to‐lateral delay ≥65 ms was found in 31 patients (36%). All echocardiographic indexes of RV function were similar between patients and controls (strain: ?22.8 ± 5.8% vs ?22.1 ± 5.6%, P = 0.630; strain rate: ?1.47 ± 0.91 s^?1 vs ?1.42 ± 0.39 s^?1, P = 0.702). Intra‐ and interobserver variability for RV strain was 3.1% and 5.3%, and strain rate was 1.3% and 2.1%, respectively. Conclusions: In patients with standard pacing indications, RV apical pacing did not seem to affect RV systolic function, despite induction of electromechanical dyssynchrony. (PACE 2011; 34:155–162)     

Improvement in right ventricular systolic function after cardiac resynchronization therapy correlates with left ventricular reverse remodeling

Background: Cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) improves left ventricular (LV) systolic function in heart failure (HF). However, the effects of CRT on right ventricular (RV) systolic function are not fully understood. Objective: We aimed to determine echocardiographic correlates of improvement in RV systolic function after CRT. Methods: Fifty‐four patients (61.9 ± 10.5 years; 43 men; LV ejection fraction 24.6 ± 4.0%; QRS duration > 120 ms) with HF were enrolled. Standard echocardiography, strain rate (SR), and tissue Doppler imaging were performed in all patients before and 6 months after CRT. Pulsed‐wave TDI‐derived systolic indices of RV included systolic (RV_S) and isovolumic velocity (RV_IVV) and isovolumic acceleration (RV_IVA). Response to CRT was defined as decline in LV end‐systolic volume (LVESV) ≥ 10%. Results: When indices of RV systolic function were assessed between responders and nonresponders, in responders (38 patients, 70.4%) RV end‐diastolic diameters (RVD1–3), mid‐RV strain, and mid‐RV SR improved significantly (P < 0.01, for all). RV_S (10.77 ± 4.29 vs 12.62 ± 4.10 cm/sec, P = 0.005), RV_IVV (14.71 ± 5.88 vs 18.52 ± 6.62 cm/sec, P < 0.001), and RV_IVA (1.69 ± 0.70 vs 2.39 ± 0.77 m/sec², P < 0.001) significantly increased among responders. There was no significant change in these parameters among nonresponders. Pearson's analyses revealed moderate positive correlations between reduction of LVESV and ΔRV_IVV (r = 0.467, P = 0.001) and ΔRV_IVA (r = 0.473, P = 0.001), respectively. Conclusions: RV diameters and systolic indices after CRT improved only in the responder group. Improvement in RV systolic performance after CRT is correlated with the reduction of LVESV. (PACE 2011; 34:200–207)     

Determination of right ventricular volume and function using multiple axially rotated MRI slices

Background: The conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method for right ventricular (RV) volume and motion, using short‐axis (SA) orientation, is limited by RV anatomy and shape. We suggest an orientation based on six slices rotated around the long axis of the RV, rotated long axis (RLA). Materials and methods: Three phantoms were investigated in SA and RLA using cine balanced steady‐state free precession MRI. Volumes were calculated based on segmentation and checked against true volumes. In 23 healthy male volunteers, we used six long‐axis planes from the middle of the tricuspid valve to the RV apex, rotated in 30° increments. For comparison, short‐axis slices were acquired. Imaging parameters were identical in both acquisitions. Results: Right ventricular end‐diastolic (EDV), end‐systolic (ESV) and stroke volumes (SV) determined in the RLA 179·1 ± 29·3; 80·1 ± 17·1; 99·3 ± 16·9 ml and in the SA were 174·0 ± 21·1; 78·8 ± 13·6; 95·3 ± 14·5 ml with P‐values for the difference from 0·17 to 0·64 (ns). Interobserver variability ranged between 3·2% and 6·6% and intraobserver variability between 2·8% and 6·8%. In SA views, consensus for the definition of the basal slice was necessary in 39% of the volunteers for whom the average volume change was 20% in ESV and 10% in EDV. Conclusions: The RLA method results in better visualization and definition of the RV inflow, outflow and apex. Accurate measurement of RV volumes for diagnosis and follow‐up of cardiac diseases are enhanced by the RLA orientation, even though additional acquisition time is required.     

Impact of physical activity and body composition on heart function and morphology in middle‐aged,abdominally obese women

Several studies have shown training induced morphological changes in the heart. Our aim was to assess how frequent, low‐intensity exercise (walking and cycling) influences heart function and morphology in abdominally obese women. Fifty women with abdominal obesity (mean age 47·0 ± 7·5 years, waist circumference (WC) 103·2 ± 7·8 cm), free of cardiovascular problems were recruited. They were equipped with a bicycle and pedometers and instructed to start commuting in a physically active way for 6 months. Evaluation of cardiac function and morphology was performed using echocardiography (ECHO) before and after 6 months of training. The subjects increased significantly their daily physical activity. After 6 months, there was a significant decrease in WC (from 103·3 ± 7·9 to 100·8 ± 8·4 cm, P = 0·0003), in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (126·8 ± 15·2 to 120·4 ± 14·5 mmHg, P = 0·0001, and 79·8 ± 7·8 to 77·8 ± 8·4 mmHg, P = 0·0006, respectively). ECHO showed an increase in the right ventricular (RV) systolic longitudinal function expressed as tricuspid annular motion from 22·00 ± 3·30 to 23·05 ± 3·59 mm, P = 0·015; and a similar trend in left ventricular (LV) mitral annular motion, which increased from 13·09 ± 1·53 to 13·39 ± 1·47 mm, P = 0·070. Cycling was associated with reductions in LV systolic and RV diastolic dimensions, whereas walking was not associated with any changes in the ECHO‐variables. A reduction in WC by frequent, low‐intensity exercise in abdominally obese women is associated with decrease in blood pressure and improved longitudinal RV systolic function.     

The relationship between tissue Doppler imaging and seric NTproBNP levels in sinus rhythm patients: a prospective study

N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NTproBNP) correlates with left ventricular (LV) filling pressure. The ratio between early diastolic transmitral velocity and early mitral annular diastolic velocity (E/Ea) reflects LV filling pressure in a variety of cardiac diseases. However this relationship was not validated in some categories of patients. Our aim was to evaluate the correlation between tissue Doppler velocities of the mitral annulus and NTproBNP levels in sinus rhythm patients. Methods Echocardiography was performed in 111 consecutive patients simultaneously with NTproBNP measurement. E/Ea and E/(Ea × Sa) were calculated (Sa is the maximal systolic velocity of mitral annulus); the average of the velocities of septal and lateral mitral annulus was used. Results Simple regression analysis demonstrated a significant linear correlation between E/(Ea × Sa) and NTproBNP (r = 0.71, P < 0.0001), superior to E/Ea correlation (r = 0.58, P < 0.0001). Significant but weaker correlations were found between NTproBNP and Sa, pulmonary artery systolic pressure, Ea, mitral E/A (early/late diastolic transmitral velocity), E wave, mitral E deceleration time and LV ejection fraction (LVEF). The optimal E/(Ea × Sa) cut-off for prediction of NTproBNP levels > 900 pg/ml was 1.5 (sensitivity = 81%, specificity = 70%). Among analyzed parameters, E/(Ea × Sa) was best correlated with NTproBNP levels in patients with LVEF ≥ 50% (r = 0.80, P < 0.0001), with depressed LVEF (<50%) (r = 0.66, P < 0.0001), with regional wall motion abnormalities (r = 0.75, P < 0.0001), and with E/Ea 8 to 15 (r = 0.58, P < 0.0001). Conclusions E/(Ea × Sa) strongly correlates with NTproBNP, regardless of LVEF, and can be a simple and accurate echocardiographic index in patients in sinus rhythm, particularly in those with regional wall motion abnormalities or intermediate E/Ea.     

超声测定二尖瓣环运动评价心室舒张功能

目的利用M型超声测定二尖瓣环运动(MAM)评价左室舒张功能。方法陈旧性心梗(OMI)及正常人各35例,记录二尖瓣环舒张早期和晚期M型运动曲线的下降幅度(EM、AM)和斜率(SM、SA)及二尖瓣口血流频谱。结果OMI组的EM明显降低(5.61±1.32vs8.82±1.75,P<0.001),SE下降(43.12±14.10vs73.92±21.44,P<0.001),EM/AM低(1.06±0.358vs1.67±0.44,P<0.001),EM及EM/AM与多普勒血流参数E/A具有相关(r=0.679,P<0.001,r=0.638,P<0.001),以EM<6.93为标准判断有无舒张功能不全的敏感性和特异性分别为97.14%和91.43%。结论MAM方法适用于无创评估OMI患者的左室舒张功能。     

二维斑点追踪技术评价心力衰竭患者右心室功能

目的 采用二维斑点追踪成像（2D-STI）评估心力衰竭（HF）患者右心室（RV）功能。方法 对31例射血分数下降型HF患者（HFREF组）、41例射血分数保留型HF患者（HFPEF组）及26名健康志愿者（对照组）行彩色多普勒超声检查,于心尖四腔心切面图像获得常规超声参数：RV壁厚度、RV基底段内径（RVD1）、RV收缩末期面积（RVESA）、RV舒张末期面积（RVEDA）、面积变化分数（RVFAC）、三尖瓣环收缩峰值速度（S''）、心肌做功指数（MPI）、三尖瓣环收缩期位移（TAPSE）及左心室射血分数（LVEF）;应用2D-STI技术获得RV游离壁基底段应变（RVLSbas）、中间段应变（RVLSmid）、心尖段应变（RVLSapi）及整体应变（RVLSfw）。比较3组间二维应变参数,分析RVLSfw与常规超声参数的相关性。结果 3组间RV壁厚度、RVD1、MPI、RVFAC、TAPSE及LVEF差异均有统计学意义（P均<0.01）。对照组、HFPEF组及HFREF组间RVLSbas、RVLSmid、RVLSfw均逐渐降低（P均<0.05）。HF患者RVLSfw与LVEF、TAPSE、MPI及RV壁厚度均呈强相关（r=-0.68、-0.53、0.52、0.51,P均<0.01）,与RVD1、FAC、S''均呈弱相关（r=0.42、-0.46、-0.39,P均<0.01）。结论 二维应变参数可用于评估HF患者RV功能。     

Left ventricular diastolic function is enhanced after peak exercise in endurance‐trained adolescents as well as in their non‐trained controls

The aims of the study were to explore the temporal change of cardiac function after peak exercise in adolescents, and to investigate how these functional changes relate to maximal oxygen uptake (VO_2max). The cohort consisted of 27 endurance‐trained adolescents aged 13–19 years, and 27 controls individually matched by age and gender. Standard echocardiography and colour tissue Doppler were performed at rest, and immediately after as well as 15 min after a maximal cardio pulmonary exercise test (CPET) on a treadmill. The changes in systolic and diastolic parameters after exercise compared to baseline were similar in both groups. The septal E/e′‐ratio increased immediately after exercise in both the active and the control groups (from 9·2 to 11·0; P<0·001, and from 8·7 to 10·2; P = 0·008, respectively). In a comparison between the two groups after CPET, the septal E/e′‐ratio was higher in the active group both immediately after exercise and 15 min later compared to the control group (P = 0·007 and P = 0·006, respectively). We demonstrated a positive correlation between VO_2max and cardiac function including LVEF and E/e′ immediately after CPET, but the strongest correlation was found between VO_2max and LVEDV (r = 0·67, P<0·001) as well as septal E/e′ (r = 0·34, P = 0·013). Enhanced diastolic function was found in both groups, but this was more pronounced in active adolescents. The cardiac functional response to exercise, in terms of LVEF and E/e′, correlates with the increase in VO₂ uptake. These findings in trained as well as un‐trained teenagers have practical implications when assessing cardiac function.     

Right ventricular myocardial isovolumic relaxation time and pulmonary pressure

Aims: Non‐invasive assessment of pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) has several limitations. As previously described by Burstin, the right ventricular (RV) isovolumic relaxation time (IVRt) is sensitive to changes in PASP. We therefore compared RV myocardial IVRt, derived by Doppler tissue imaging (DTI), with simultaneously measured invasive PASP. Methods and results: Twenty‐six consecutive patients (18 males, mean age 52 ± 12 years, range 23–75) underwent a simultaneous Doppler echocardiography, including DTI, and cardiac catheterization examination for measurement of PASP and right atrial mean pressures. IVRt was measured using the myocardial velocities by pulsed DTI at both basal and mid cavity segments of the RV free wall. As diastolic time intervals are influenced by heart rate IVRt was corrected for heart rate (IVRt/RR%). A significant correlation was found between PASP and regional IVRt/RR% at both the basal (r = 0·42, P<0·05) and mid cavity segment (r = 0·71, P<0·001). Furthermore, when only patients with normal right atrial pressures (<7 mmHg) were taken into account, the correlation coefficient improved at both basal and mid cavity segments (r = 0·74, P<0·05 and r = 0·83, P<0·01). Conclusion: Pulsed Doppler‐derived IVRt correlates well with PASP. The use of pulsed DTI for measurement of IVRt is simple, reproducible and easy to obtain. We propose this method as an additional non‐invasive tool in the assessment of PASP.     

实时三维超声心动图评价左室重构心功能的初步探讨

目的探讨实时三维超声心动图(RT-3DE)评价重构左室收缩功能的方法及可行性. 方法对26例不同病因所致左室形态重构的患者,应用RT-3DE采集左室腔立体数据库,测量左室舒张末期容积(EDV)、收缩末期容积(ESV)和左室射血分数(LVEF).同时应用二维超声(2DE)双平面Simpson's法和M型(ME)Teichholz法分别测量左室EF值.在心尖四腔、三腔和两腔心切面上,用ME记录二尖瓣瓣环在后间隔、侧壁、后壁、前间隔、下壁、前壁六个位点上运动的平均距离.分别比较RT-3DE与2DE、ME测值的相关性. 结果 RT-3DE能显示完整左室腔的立体形态.RT-3DE测定的LVEF值与二尖瓣瓣环运动的平均距离之间有很好的相关性(r＝0.9045,P<0.001),与二维法及M型法测量值之间相关性较低(r＝0.7355,r＝0.7218,P<0.01). 结论 RT-3DE为定量分析左室容积和收缩功能提供了一种无创的,准确可信的新途径.     

Right ventricular function in late-onset Pompe disease

Pompe’s disease is a glycogen storage disease (type II) characterized by inherited autosomal recessive transmission. The right ventricular (RV) function is a determinant parameter of clinical outcome in patients with heart failure. We sought to characterize the RV function using Doppler-echocardiography completed by Doppler tissular imaging and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE) measurement. We analyzed retrospectively clinical and Doppler-echocardiographic data of patients with adult late onset Pompe disease and compared to a control group. Ten patients with late onset Pompe disease were included in our study and were compared to a control group (seven patients). Mean age was 56.7 ± 10.2 years in late onset Pompe disease versus 55 ± 21 years in control group (p  = 0.65). Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was similar in the two groups (LVEF 63.7 ± 9 vs 63.7 ± 6.6 % in control group p  = 0.99). LV end diastolic diameter was 40.8 ± 6 mm in Pompe disease versus 45.8 ± 6 mm in control group (p  = 0.11). Mean TAPSE was similar in the two groups (25.6 ± 6.2 vs 21.5 ± 2.7 mm p = 0.23). Mean peak systolic RV velocity Sm was not significantly different in the two groups (17.11 ± 3.4 cm/s in Pompe disease vs 16.14 ± 3.8 cm/s in control group p = 0.61). Mean peak early diastolic Ea velocity in the RV were not significantly different in the two groups (15.6 ± 5.6 vs 18.2 ± 4.9 cm/s p = 0.34). According to our data, RV systolic function seems preserved in late-onset Pompe disease.     

整体长轴收缩期峰值应变率指标评价心肌梗死患者左室收缩功能

目的 探讨整体长轴收缩期峰值应变率指标在评价心肌梗死患者左室整体收缩功能中的应用价值.方法 对14例心肌梗死患者与20例健康对照者,采集心尖两腔、四腔及左室长轴切面二维超声图像,应用VVI技术测量左室各节段收缩期长轴峰值应变率(SRs)并取平均值得出左室整体长轴收缩期峰值应变率(GSRs).以常规二维超声心动图评价左室壁节段运动,计算室壁运动积分指数(WMSI),并应用Simpson双平面法计算左室射血分数(LVEF).应用脉冲波组织多普勒显像(PDTI)技术测量并计算二尖瓣环平均收缩期峰值速度(Sm).比较两组间各指标,评价GSRs指标与WMSI指标、Sm指标及LVEF指标的关系.结果 心肌梗死患者组及正常对照组GSRs、WMSI、Sm及LVEF分别为(-0.57±0.21)%和(-1.02±0.09)%、(1.90±0.80)和(1.10±0.30)、(6.20±1.50)cm/s和(9.80±1.30)cm/s、(32.90±7.10)%和(65.50±5.70)%,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),且GSRs与WMSI、Sm及LVEF均呈高度相关(r=0.97,-0.98,-0.93, P<0.0001).结论 GSRs是客观评价左室整体收缩功能的新指标.     

Echocardiographically estimated left ventricular end-diastolic and right ventricular systolic pressure in normotensive healthy individuals

Aim To study the effect of aging on and the relationship between echocardiographically estimated left ventricular (LV) filling pressure and estimated right ventricular (RV) systolic pressure among healthy normotensive individuals.Methods We analyzed 249 healthy individuals (aged 18–82 years, 52% men) with normal echocardiographic findings and reliably measurable tricuspid regurgitation gradients. Subjects with blood pressure >140/90 mmHg and/or LV hypertrophy were excluded. LV & RV dimensions and LV mass were measured with M-mode echocardiography. Atrial (A) volumes were determined with the area-length method. Diastolic function was assessed with transmitral Doppler and mitral annulus tissue Doppler. The ratio of transmitral early peak velocity to early diastolic mitral annulus velocity (E/E′) was used as estimation of LV filling pressure. The transtricuspid Doppler gradient was used to estimate RV end-systolic pressure.Results Even in normotensive individuals aging was accompanied by an increase in LV mass and LA dimensions and an increase in relaxation abnormalities. E/E′ increased with every decade: from 7.8 for age 18–35 years to 10.9 for age ≥75 years (p<0.0001) as did the transtricuspid gradient: from 18.3 mmHg for age 18–35 years to 25.8 mmHg for age ≥75 years (p<0.0001). Linear regression showed that estimated RV systolic pressure was independently predicted by age, LA volume, LV systolic function and E/E′.Conclusion Among normotensive healthy individuals both E/E′ and tricuspid regurgitation gradients increase significantly with aging. Moreover the E/E′ ratio was independently predicting the tricuspid regurgitation gradient. These findings support the need for further studies defining age specific normal values.     

Influence of right ventricular pre‐ and afterload on right ventricular ejection fraction and preload recruitable stroke work relation

When right ventricular (RV) afterload is abnormally increased, it correlates inversely with right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF). We tested, whether this would be different with normal afterload. Additionally, we investigated whether previous studies on the slope of RV preload recruitable stroke work (SW) relation, which used rather non‐physiological measures to change RV preload, could be transferred to more physiological loading conditions. RV volumes were determined by thermodilution in 16 patients with stable coronary artery disease and normal pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) at rest. Pre‐ and afterload were varied by body posture, nitroglycerin (NTG) application and by exercise at different body positions. At rest, the change from recumbent to sitting position decreased PAP, cardiac index (C_i), RV diastolic and systolic volumes, and RVEF. Additionally, mean pulmonary artery pressure (MPAP) correlated positively with both RVEF and cardiac index. After correction for mathematical coupling, the RV preload recruitable SW relation was: right ventricular stroke work index (RVSW_i) (10³ erg m^–2)= 8·1 × (RV end‐diastolic volume index ?4·9), with n=96, r=0·57, P≤0·001. Exercise abolished this correlation and led to an inverse correlation between RV end‐systolic volume (ESV) and RVSW. In conclusion, (i) RVEF correlates positively with RV afterload when afterload varies within normal range; (ii) the slope of the RV preload recruitable SW relation, which is obtained at steady state under normal loading conditions, is substantially flatter than previously described for dynamic changes of RV preload. With increasing afterload, preload loses its determining effect on RV performance, while afterload becomes more important. This puts earlier assumptions of an afterload independent RV preload recruitable SW relation into question.     

Radial pressure waveform dP/dt max is a poor indicator of left ventricular systolic function

Background The first derivative of left ventricular (LV) pressure over time (dP/dt max) is a marker of LV systolic function that can be assessed during cardiac catheterization and echocardiography. Radial artery dP/dt max has been proposed as a possible marker of LV systolic function and we sought to test this hypothesis. Materials and methods We compared simultaneously recorded radial dP/dt max (by high‐fidelity tonometry) with LV dP/dt max (by high‐fidelity catheter and echocardiography parameters analogous to LV dP/dt max). In study 1, beat‐to‐beat radial dP/dt max and LV dP/dt max were recorded at rest and during supine exercise in 12 males (aged 61 ± 12 years) undergoing cardiac catheterization. In study 2, 2D‐echocardiography and radial dP/dt max were recorded in 54 patients (separate to study 1; 39 men; aged 64 ± 10 years) at baseline and peak dobutamine‐induced stress. Three basal septum measures were taken as being analogous to LV dP/dt max: 1. Peak systolic strain rate; 2. Strain rate (SR‐dP/dt max) during isovolumic contraction (IVCT) and; 3. Tissue velocity during IVCT. Results In study 1 there was a significant difference between resting LV dP/dt max (1461 ± 383 mmHg s⁻¹) and radial dP/dt max (1182 ± 319 mmHg s⁻¹; P < 0·001), and a poor, but statistically significant, correlation between the variables (R² = 0·006; P < 0·05). Similar results were observed during exercise. In study 2 there were weak (R² = −0·12; P = 0·01) to non‐significant associations between radial dP/dt max and all echocardiographic measures analogous to LV dP/dt max at rest or peak stress. Conclusion Radial pressure waveform dP/dt max is not a reliable marker of LV systolic function.     

Coronary flow reserve: measurement with transthoracic Doppler echocardiography is reproducible and comparable with positron emission tomography

Detection of early vascular changes indicated by lowered coronary flow reserve (CFR) would allow early treatment and prevention of atherosclerosis. The purpose of this study was to test whether it is possible to reproducibly measure CFR with transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTE) in healthy volunteers. We measured CFR using dipyridamole infusion in ten healthy male volunteers with two methods: TTE and positron emission tomography (PET) with oxygen‐15‐labelled water (group A). However, CFR was assessed twice with TTE in eight healthy male volunteers (group B) to study the reproducibility of this method. We compared CFRs obtained using TTE flow measurements in the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) and PET flow measurements in the corresponding myocardial area. Coronary flow in LAD could be measured in all subjects using TTE. By TTE, an average CFR based on peak diastolic flow velocity (PDV) was 2·72 ± 1·16, mean diastolic flow velocity (MDV) 2·56 ± 1·06 and velocity time integral (VTI) 1·87 ± 0·49. The results were reproducible in two repeated TTE studies (coefficient of variation in MDV 6·1 ± 4·3%, n=8). By PET, CFR was 2·52 ± 0·84. CFR assessed by TTE correlated closely with that measured by PET (MDV r=0·942, P<0·001; PDV r=0·912, P<0·002 and VTI r=0·888, P<0·006) and intraclass correlation was 0·929 (MDV) and tolerance limits for differences of CFRs was ?0·78 to 0·72. We show that CFR measured by TTE has an excellent correlation with CFR measured by PET. We also found that TTE measurements of CFR were highly reproducible.