Review: genetics of familial dilated cardiomyopathy

Dilated cardiomyopathy is the most frequent cardiomyopathy. Twenty to 35% of dilated cardiomyopathies are familial. The transmission of the disease is most frequently dominant autosomic. Dilated cardiomyopathy is genetically heterogeneous. Hence, mutations have been identified on 14 genes, and 9 loci have been associated to familial dilated cardiomyopathy. The incriminated mechanisms in the pathogeny of dilated cardiomyopathy include mutations on proteins of the sarcomere, the cytosqueletton, the nuclear membrane or involved in calcium signaling. This review indicates the genes and proteins implicated in the pathogeny of familial dilated cardiomyopathy, and their potential clinical effects.     

Differences in echocardiographic assessment with standard Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging of left ventricular filling pressure in idiopathic and ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy

Background: In idiopathic and ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) there are differences in left atrial and ventricular relaxation. We assessed the hypothesis of an influence of these dissimilarities in assessing left ventricular filling pressure (LVFP) in these two DCMs by standard Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging. In particular, we focused on early transmitral flow to early diastolic motion velocity of mitral annulus ratio (E/Ea), useful to estimate normal or elevated LVFP. However, when found in intermediate range (8–15), its role is unclear. Methods and Results: We evaluated 26 patients with ischemic and 21 patients with idiopathic DCM. To validate the echocardiographic estimation of LVFP, a sample (12 patients) underwent LVFP assessment by catheterization. In idiopathic DCM, E/Ea directly related to duration of retrograde pulmonary venous flow (ARd) (r = 0.66 P = 0001). In ischemic DCM E/Ea inversely related only to systolic to diastolic velocity ratio of pulmonary venous flow (S/D) (r =−0.56 P = 0002). After a mean follow up of 6 months, by a second echocardiogram we observed a direct relation between E/Ea and ARd percentage variation (r = 0.52 P = 0.02) in idiopathic DCM group, whereas in the ischemic DCM group there was an inverse relation between E/Ea and S/D percentage variation (r =−0.59 P = 0.02).Conclusions: In conclusion, ARd in idiopathic and S/D in ischemic DCM might be used as specific additional information to estimate LVFP when E/Ea falls within intermediate range.     

Significance of permanent atrial fibrillation in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

The significance of atrial fibrillation (AF) in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM) remains discussed. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the clinical significance of permanent atrial fibrillation in patients with IDCM.

Methods

Systematic noninvasive and invasive studies including Holter monitoring, measurement of left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), electrophysiological study and coronary angiography were performed in 323 patients with IDCM; all patients had a left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) < 40%. The studies were indicated for spontaneous ventricular tachycardia (VT) in 69 patients, syncope in 103 patients and nonsustained VT on Holter monitoring in 151 asymptomatic patients. Sixty-five patients were in permanent AF (group I). Remaining patients were in sinus rhythm at the time of evaluation (group II). Programmed ventricular stimulation using up to 3 extrastimuli in control state and if necessary after isoproterenol was systematic. Patients were followed 3 ± 2 years.

Results

Mean age was significantly older in group I (61±8 years) than in group II (52 ± 12) (P < 0.01). Syncope (31 vs 36%), spontaneous sustained VT (18 vs 23%); mean LVEF (28 ± 9% vs 29 ± 9%), VT induction (25 vs 35%) were similar in both groups. During the follow-up, there were no statistical differences between groups I and II concerning each event: sudden death occurred in 13 patients, 1.5% of group I patients and 5% of group II patients (NS); a death related to heart failure occurred 22 patients, 5% of group I patients and 7% of group II patients (NS); heart transplantation was performed in 13 patients, 8% of group I patients and 3% of group II patients (NS).

Conclusions

An older age is the only significant clinical factor associated with the presence of a permanent atrial fibrillation in idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy. The presence of permanent AF does not increase the induction of a sustained ventricular tachycardia and does not affect the general prognosis of IDCM.     

Prognostic value of pulsed tissue Doppler imaging for the assessment of left ventricular systolic function in patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy

There is still some debate regarding the prognostic significance of left ventricular longitudinal systolic dysfunction as assessed by tissue Doppler (TD) imaging in patients with chronic heart failure (HF), since previous studies have included patients with postischemic wall motion abnormalities. Thus, this study was designed to ascertain whether TD-derived longitudinal systolic dysfunction may influence the outcome of patients with nonischemic chronic HF. In 200 consecutive patients with chronic HF secondary to dilated cardiomyopathy and no history of ischemic heart disease, peak systolic mitral annular velocity (S(m) ) was measured by pulsed TD at the septal and lateral annular sites. The end points were cardiac death or hospitalization for worsening HF. Mean follow-up duration was 30 months. In a time independent analysis, averaged S(m) calculated as the average of septal and lateral S(m) , resulted to be a significant predictor of outcome in the study population (area under receiver-operator characteristic curve: cardiovascular death, 0.69, P < 0.0001; cardiovascular events, 0.64, P = 0.0005). In a time-dependent analysis, average S(m) was associated with both cardiovascular death (hazard ratio 0.832, P = 0.0019) and cardiovascular events (hazard ratio 0.904, P = 0.039), independently of other clinical risk factors and echocardiographic parameters of systolic function. Septal S(m) but not lateral S(m) was independently associated with the outcome measures. In conclusion, the assessment of systolic mitral annular velocity by pulsed TD is a useful indicator for prognostic stratification of patients with nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy and chronic HF.     

多普勒组织成像对老年扩张型心肌病患者左室功能的评价

目的 应用多普勒组织成像(doppler tissue imaging,DTI)技术评价老年扩张型心肌病(dilated cardiomyopathy,DCM)患者左室舒缩功能,并探讨其临床应用价值.方法 采集健康老年人20例(对照组)和老年DCM患者22例(DCM组).用常规超声心动图分别测量左审舒张末期内径(LVEDd)、左房内径(LAD)和左室射血分数(LVEF);在DTI模式下,用定量组织速度图(QTVI)分别测量二尖瓣环水平6个位点的收缩期峰值速度(Vs)和舒张早期峰值速度(Ve),并计算其平均值;用组织追踪图(TTI)显示二尖瓣环水平6个位点收缩期位移(mvd),并计算其平均值.结果 DCM患者LVEDd(67.56±10.27)mm、LAD(49.91±6.27)mm,较对照组[43.36±4.20)mm、(32.00±4.53)mm]明显增大(t值分别为10.229、10.359,均P<0.01);LVEF(26.50±8.25)%、Vs(5.14±1.30)cm/s、mvd(4.82 4±1.85)mm.均较对照组[64.00±4.72)%、(8.89±1.87)cm/s、(10.23±1.95)mm]减低(t值分别为18.502、7.716,8.143.均P<0.01);Vs、mvd与LVEF呈显著正相关(r值分别为0.78、0.89.均P<0.01).结论 DTI可以直观、准确评价老年DCM患者左室整体和局祁的舒缩功能,为判断病情提供可靠的信息依据.     

Reliability of Doppler methods in the evaluation of the left ventricular systolic function in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: There are many new methods for evaluating the left ventricle (LV) systolic function. The aim of this study was to compare the methods, which evaluate the systolic function such as Simpson's method, myocardial performance index (MPI), systolic S(m) wave, and dp/dt value of the mitral regurgitation. METHODS: Forty patients (27 male, 13 female, mean age 52.5 +/- 18.2 years) with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and 40 healthy subjects (27 male, 13 female, mean age 49.3 +/- 10.8 years) were included in the study. All patients and controls underwent echocardiographic examination by M-mode, two-dimensional, pulsed-wave (PW) and continuous wave Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). The MPI were measured by the summation of the isovolumetric contraction and relaxation times division of the LV ejection time, with both PW and TDI methods. RESULTS: The cardiac chamber dimensions, MPI, and modified MPI were greater, LV ejection fraction and TDI S(m) wave were lower in the patients compared to the controls (P < 0.001). The LV ejection fraction of patients calculated by Simpson's method compared with novel methods. Value of dp/dt (P = 0.010, r = 0.546), MPI (P = 0.002, r =-0.470) and modified MPI (P = 0.038, r =-0.330) were related to the LV ejection fraction. Tissue Doppler Systolic S(m) wave had a modest correlation with LV ejection fraction (P < 0.001, r = 0.604). CONCLUSION: Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging methods correlate with traditional echocardiographic methods and can be used reliably and safely for left ventricular performance regardless of the patient's echogenity.     

Examination of left ventricular contractile reserve by Doppler myocardial imaging in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

Detection of left ventricular contractile reserve by means of dobutamine stress echocardiography is a well known technique. The aim of the present study was to detect velocity changes during the administration of dobutamine, to establish if Doppler myocardial imaging is a suitable method for determining left ventricular contractile reserve, and to determine if the technique provides more information than traditional stress echocardiography. Twenty-five patients (all males; mean age, 53.4 years) were examined for a clinical diagnosis of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy with a poor left ventricular systolic function (ejection fraction less than 30%). Doses of 5-10 and 20 mg/kg/min dobutamine were administered and elevated at 4-minute intervals. Ejection fraction was calculated using the Simpson rule. The peak systolic and the early and late diastolic velocities were measured in the basal segment of the septum and the inferior wall at baseline and at full dose of dobutamine. Results indicated that peak systolic velocity increased significantly, both in the septum (0.11±0.03 vs. 0.20±0.05 m/sec; p=0.001) and in the inferior wall (0.10±0.05 vs. 0.17±0.06 m/sec; p=0.03). Late diastolic velocities also increased significantly, both in the septum (0.17±0.05 vs. 0.22±0.07 m/sec; p=0.01) and in the inferior wall (0.18±0.08 vs.0.21±0.02 m/sec; p=0.01). There was a significant linear correlation between the relative increases in basal ejection fraction value and in peak systolic velocity upon dobutamine stimulation. Patients were divided into responders and nonresponders based on responses in either ejection fraction (25% relative increase) or peak systolic velocity (5 cm/s increase). This study concludes that 1) Doppler myocardial imaging is an adequate and simple technique to examine left ventricular contractile reserve; and 2) measurement of peak systolic velocity during dobutamine stimulation seems to be a simple and good indicator of left ventricular contractile reserve. (c)2001 CHF, Inc.     

Epidemiological study of the idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy in Tunisia

Aims of the study

Idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) is a complex disease. The interest of this study were to investigate the epidemiology characteristics of the disease and to evaluate the prognostic echocardiographic markers by region in order to highlight the existence of genetic risk factors and/or environmental and to identify those patients who could benefit from early treatment and better care to avoid further complications of the disease.

Patients and methods

This is a retrospective study based on the Fischer exact and bilateral Mann-Whitney test.

Results

We included 526 patients with dilated cardiomyopathies of them we detected 50 cases of IDC including 12 families: The average age was 39,3 ± 15.2 years. The sex ratio was 2.6. Mean left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (DIVGd) was higher in patients from the North East region (44.3 ± 6.2 mm/m²). Using Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) curve, we found a threshold value of 40 mm/m². The odds ratio associated with this cutoff was 9.2.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that the prevalence and severity of IDC were higher in the North East region of Tunisia. Furthermore, large-scale prospective studies are needed to confirm these findings. In confirmation of a higher prevalence, a genetic study should be undertaken in this region.     

多普勒组织成像检测肥厚型心肌病与高血压性心脏病的参数比较

目的初步探讨多普勒组织成像技术（TDI）对肥厚型心肌病（HCM）与高血压性心脏病鉴别诊断的临床价值。方法应用TDI技术对HCM患者、高血压性心脏病患者及正常人分别测量二尖瓣环收缩期峰值速度（Vs）、舒张早期峰值速度（Ve）及舒张晚期峰值速度（Va）。常规超声检查测得左室射血分数（LVEF）、左室短轴缩短率（FS）、二尖瓣口血流峰值速度E、A,计算E/A。结果HCM组、高血压性心脏病组各峰值速度均减低,与正常组比较差异有显著性意义（P<0.05）;HCM组部分心肌节段峰值速度与高血压性心脏病组比较有显著性差异（P<0.05）。结论TDI技术对HCM与高血压性心脏病鉴别诊断提供可行、实用的信息。     

双通道多普勒技术评价扩张型心肌病患者左心室功能的价值

目的：探讨双通道多普勒法(DPW)评价扩张型心肌病患者心功能的应用价值。方法：选择已经临床确诊的DCM患者30例作为病例组,随机抽取40例健康人作为对照组进行研究,每位患者均行常规超声心动图检查,测量二尖瓣舒张早期峰值流速(E峰)和舒张晚期峰值流速(A峰),并采用双通道多普勒法和传统方法分别获得左心室Tei指数和舒张早期二尖瓣血流峰值流速(E)与彩色M型舒张早期血流传播速度(Vp)比值(E/Vp),观察对比分析各组心脏结构及心功能参数的差异性。结果：病例组两种方法测得Tei指数和E/Vp均高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P均＜0.01)。与传统方法相比,DPW法测的Tei指数和E/Vp均增大(P均＜0.01)。病例组DPW法和传统法测量Tei指数与LVEF均呈负相关,相关性为r=-0.781,-0.705,P<0.01。当DPW法测量E/Vp≥1.33时,E/Vp诊断左心室舒张功能不全的ROC曲线下面积为0.92,大于传统法测量E/Vp。(3)结论：双通道多普勒超声成像技术测量Tei指数及E/Vp不受心律的影响,可作为准确敏感评估DCM患者左心室功能的指标。     

Doppler tissue imaging in the assessment of dilated cardiomyopathy

Doppler myocardial tissue imaging is a recent technique of objective assessment of wall motion by real time measurement of intra-myocardial velocities. This technique is being evaluated in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. Doppler myocardial tissue imaging has been used for the quantification of dobutamine stress echocardiography, for the detection of an ischaemic aetiology in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and for non-invasive estimation of left ventricular filling pressures. At the present time, the recordings have to be analysed a posteriori and only a small number of centres have acquired expertise of these techniques at rest or during stress. Standardisation of a posteriori procedures of image processing and validation of pertinent parameters have yet to be established in this pathology.     

应用组织追踪成像评价儿童扩张型心肌病左心功能的探讨

目的:探讨组织追踪技术(TTI)在儿童扩张型心肌病(DCM)左心收缩功能评价中的应用价值.方法:DCM患者14例,NYHA分级分为DCM A组(HYHAⅡ级)和DCM B组(HYHAⅢ一Ⅳ级),健康儿童12例为对照组.用GE Vivid 7彩色多普勒超声显像仪同步获取心尖四腔、左室两腔和左室长轴切面的三平面TTI动态图,分析左室TTI图及心肌收缩期向心尖方向的位移距离(Ds).结果:①DCM组收缩期TTI图色阶较对照组减少.②DCM组左室各节段Ds较对照组显著降低,以DCM B组降低更显著(P＜0.05);DCM B组部分病例Ds呈中间段＞基底段＞瓣环、部分室壁二尖瓣瓣环平均Ds小于基底段及中间段.③DCM组有4例18个心肌节段(25.00%)出现纵向收缩延迟,均来自DCM B组.④对照组、DCM A组及B组二尖瓣瓣环Ds与左室射血分数相关性好(r＝0.74、0.80、0.82,P＜0.01).结论:TTI技术能快速、直观、无创评价局部及整体左心收缩功能,对儿童DCM患者同样适用.     

Evaluation of right ventricular function in patients with idiopathic dilated and ischemic cardiomyopathy by equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography

We performed equilibrium radionuclide ventriculography in 12 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, 11 patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and 11 normal subjects to determine whether measurements of right ventricular function could be used to distinguish dilated cardiomyopathy from ischemic cardiomyopathy. The left ventricular ejection fraction in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (26 +/- 8%, mean +/- SD) or ischemic cardiomyopathy (32 +/- 5%) was significantly lower than in normals (69 +/- 6%, p less than 0.001). The right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) in normals was 57 +/- 7%. RVEF was decreased in 11 of 12 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and the mean value (32 +/- 10%) was significantly lower than that in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (56 +/- 7%, p less than 0.001), none of whom had decreased RVEF. Our data show that right ventricular dysfunction commonly exists in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy but not in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. This finding may be useful in the differentiation between dilated and ischemic cardiomyopathy.     

双腔起搏器术后患者室壁运动同步性分析

目的分析永久性起搏器植入术后右心室起搏患者的心室间及心室内非同步收缩的特点及影响因素。方法收集永久性起搏器植入术后的患者22例,分为右心室起搏组与对照组。应用定量组织多普勒技术获得患者左心室各节段心肌及右心室侧壁的组织多普勒速度曲线,分别测量各节段自QRS波起始至心肌收缩期峰值速度和舒张早期峰值速度的时限等收缩期同步性指标和舒张期同步性指标,以及运动速度峰值。结果右心室起搏组与对照组两组间可测得的组织多普勒参数左心室壁12个节段收缩期达峰时间[(188.3±46.0)ms比(142.6±33.3)ms]差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),表明在心室起搏组存在左心室壁收缩的延迟。但有关左心室壁12个节段内运动同步性的参数,左心室壁12个节段收缩期达峰时间的标准差[(29.9±18.7)ms比(30.3±20.3)ms]及左心室壁12个节段收缩期达峰时间最大与最小值的差值[(95.6±60.4)ms比(90.0±58.3)ms]两组间差异无统计学意义。结论常规右心室心尖起搏致QRS波增宽,可造成心室间收缩不同步,但不一定会造成左心室内收缩不同步。     

组织多普勒成像技术评价健康肥胖老年女性心功能

目的探讨组织多普勒成像(TDI)技术能否早期、准确评价健康肥胖老年女性左心功能的改变。方法入选健康老年女性160例,其中肥胖女性120例,根据体重指数(BMI)分为:轻度肥胖组(Ⅰ组,70例),28.0 kg/m~2≤BMI32.0 kg/m~2;中度肥胖组(Ⅱ组,50例),32.0 kg/m~2≤BMI36.0 kg/m~2;正常体重组(Ⅲ组,40例),18.5kg/m~2≤BMI24.0 kg/m~2。同期选择健康肥胖非老年女性80例,以BMI为依据,分为Ⅳ组40例(BMI同Ⅰ组),V组40例(BMI同Ⅱ组)。超声心动图检查,以TDI技术测量二尖瓣瓣环后间壁、侧壁、下壁、前壁、后壁和前间壁6个取样点的收缩期心肌峰值运动速度(Sm)、舒张早期心肌峰值运动速度(Em)和舒张晚期心肌峰值运动速度(Am)及其比值,并进行对比分析。结果与Ⅲ组比较,Ⅰ、Ⅱ组入选者收缩压、舒张压增高,心率加快,二尖瓣口舒张早期与晚期峰值血流速度比值明显降低(P0.05);Ⅰ、Ⅱ组在二尖瓣环6个取样点Sm、Em、Em/Am和总平均值均明显下降,Am明显上升,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。与Ⅳ组比较,Ⅰ组在6个取样点Sm、Em、Em/Am和总平均值明显下降,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),与Ⅰ组比较,Ⅱ组亦有相似改变。与Ⅴ组比较,Ⅱ组仅Sm减低,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。结论心肌组织运动速度测量显示,健康肥胖老年女性已出现心室收缩和舒张功能异常,心肌TDI技术的应用,为这类人群左心室局部和整体功能的评价提供了理想的检测手段。     

组织多普勒评价健康肥胖女性左右心室功能

目的 探讨组织多普勒成像(TDI)技术评价我国健康肥胖女性左、右心室功能改变.方法 选择健康肥胖成年人140例,其中女性80例,以TDI技术测量其在二、三尖瓣瓣环收缩期、舒张早期和晚期峰值运动速度(Sm、Em和Am)和Em/Am,并计算各指标平均值(MSm、Mem、Mam和Mem/Am).结果 肥胖组和正常对照组在二、三尖瓣瓣环各取样点Sm、Em、Em/Am以及MSm、Mem、Mem/Am减低,Am、Mam升高.肥胖女性体重增加心功能进一步减低.肥胖女性较男性心功能减低更明显.结论 TDI技术显示成年健康肥胖女性左、右心室功能已出现异常改变,为肥胖女性左、右心室局部和整体功能的早期评价提供了理想的检测手段.     

Prognostic implications of tissue Doppler in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Previous studies have shown that a ratio of early transmitral flow velocity to early diastolic velocity of the mitral annulus (E/E') of > 15, obtained by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), correlates with left ventricular filling pressure. OBJECTIVE: The aim of our study was to assess whether E/E' provides prognostic information in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. METHODS: We studied 33 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and mean ejection fraction of 31%. All the patients underwent routine two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic examination and TDI to determine early peak velocity of the mitral annulus. Pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) and peak oxygen consumption (VO2max) were also measured. Patients were divided into two groups according to the value of E/E': Group I (n = 15 patients) with E/E' > or = 15 and Group II (n = 18 patients) with E/E' < 15. Patients were followed for 12+/-4 months; new hospital admission due to heart failure, heart transplantation and death were considered as cardiac events. RESULTS: There were significant differences between the two groups in conventional two-dimensional echocardiographic measurements (dimensions and ejection fraction) and Doppler parameters (mitral inflow). With regard to mitral annular velocities obtained by TDI at two different points (septum and lateral wall), the E', A' and S' velocities differed significantly between the two groups, with lower velocities in Group I. Systolic velocity measured in the lateral portion of the mitral annulus showed the most significant difference: Group I - 4.46 cm/sec versus Group II - 7.19 cm/sec, p < 0.00001. Pro-BNP was 5622 pg/ml in Group I, and 1254 pg/ml in Group II, p = 0.004. VO2 max was significantly different between the two groups: Group I - 17.6 ml/kg/min versus Group II - 22.8 ml/kg/min, p = 0.004. During follow-up, events were more common in Group I, with 9 patients (60%) having events, while in Group II, the event rate was 11.1% (2 patients), p = 0.004. CONCLUSION: The ratio of early transmitral flow velocity to early diastolic velocity of the mitral annulus is a powerful predictor of clinical outcome. Lower velocities of mitral annulus on TDI are expected in patients with E/E' > or = 15. Systolic velocities of under 5 cm/sec measured in the lateral portion of the mitral annulus appeared to be strongly related to prognosis.     

多普勒组织成像技术评价急性心肌梗死右心室功能

急性心肌梗死 ( A MI)中右心室发生了一系列病理生理变化。右心室功能对于 A MI的发展及预后有重要意义 ,而右心室功能的评价较为复杂 ,多普勒组织成像 ( DTI)技术的应用为评价右心室功能提供了一种可靠的方法     

Pulsed Doppler tissue imaging can help to identify patients with right ventricular infarction

This study was planned to assess whether tissue Doppler imaging is a useful method for the detection of the right ventricular myocardial infarction. Forty-eight patients with acute inferior myocardial infarction and 24 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were included in this study. Twenty-four patients had electrocardiographic signs of inferior myocardial infarction without right ventricular infarction (group I), and the other 24 patients had electrocardiographic signs of inferior myocardial infarction with right ventricular infarction (group II). From the echocardiographic apical four-chamber view, peak systolic, early diastolic, and late diastolic velocities of the tricuspid annulus at the right ventricular free wall were recorded with the use of pulsed-wave Doppler tissue imaging. The tricuspid annular peak tissue Doppler imaging systolic velocity was significantly lower in group I (14.03 ± 2.57cm/s, P 0.005) and in group II (8.50 ± 0.84cm/s, P 0.005) than in controls (16.63 ± 2.31cm/s). The tricuspid annular peak systolic (8.50 ± 0.84cm/s vs 16.63 ± 2.31cm/s) and peak early diastolic (10.99 ± 3.28cm/s vs 19.39 ± 4.3cm/s) velocities were significantly lower in group II than in group I, as compared with controls (P 0.001). Peak early diastolic velocity of tricuspid annulus (10.99 ± 3.28cm/s vs 19.39 ± 4.3cm/s) was significantly lower in group I than in controls (P 0.001); however, late diastolic velocity was significantly lower in group II (15.98 ± 5.08cm/s, P 0.05) than in group I (18.21 ± 2.63cm/s, P 0.05) and in controls (19.02 ± 5.29cm/s). The results of this study indicate that tricuspid annular peak systolic and early diastolic velocities are reduced in patients with right ventricular infarction. The velocity of the tricuspid annulus by tissue Doppler imaging is simple and can be used to distinguish whether patients with inferior myocardial infarction have right ventricular infarction.This study was presented at the XXIII. Congress of the European Society of Cardiology, Stockholm, Sweden, 1–5 September 2001