多普勒超声心动图4种检测方法评价左室舒张功能

目的　应用二尖瓣血流频谱、肺静脉血流频谱、彩色M型多普勒超声心动图 (CMM)和组织多普勒图像 (DTI)等 4种方法评价左室舒张功能 ,并对其结果进行比较。　 方法　使用 4种多普勒超声心动图方法测定的相应数值评价正常组 (3 0例 )、高血压组 (3 0例 )及心肌梗死组 (2 7例 )的左室舒张功能的情况。　 结果　 (1)二尖瓣血流频谱表明高血压组左室舒张功能异常表现为松弛减退 (E/A <1) ;(2 )心肌梗死组E/A值与正常组比较无明显差异 ,肺静脉舒张末逆流峰值 (AR)明显增大 ,CMM测定的舒张早期血流传导速度 (FPV)明显减小 ,DTI测定的负向舒张早期波 (Ea)及Ea与负向舒张晚期波 (Aa)的比值 (Ea/Aa)与其他 2组比较P均 <0 0 1。　 结论 　评价左室舒张功能异常时 ,二尖瓣血流频谱能及早发现松弛减退 ,在可能存在假性正常时 ,综合应用AR、FPV、Ea、Ea/Aa可予以识别。考虑到经胸途径检查肺静脉往往比较困难且费时较多 ,而FPV、Ea、Ea/Aa测定简便易行 ,是综合评价左室舒张功能的有用指标。     

组织速度成像技术评价糖尿病患者左室舒张功能的临床应用

目的探讨组织速度成像技术评价糖尿病患者左室舒张功能的临床应用。方法66例糖尿病患者分为单纯糖尿病组(DM组,36例)与糖尿病合并左室肥厚组(DM LVH组,30例)两组,设正常健康人38名为对照组。应用组织速度成像技术于二尖瓣环与侧壁交界处测量二尖瓣环舒张早期峰值运动速度(Em)与舒张晚期峰值运动速度(Am);应用常规超声心动图脉冲多普勒超声检查,测量二尖瓣口舒张早期血流速度(E)、舒张晚期血流速度(A);计算Em/Am、E/A和E/Em比值。结果①两组糖尿病患者Em显著低于正常对照组(P<0.01),DM LVH组Em又显著低于DM组(P<0.05);②两组糖尿病患者的E/A≤1与Em/Am≤1检出率显著高于正常对照组,而且各组应用组织速度成像方法检出率明显高于应用常规脉冲多普勒方法(P<0.01);③两组糖尿病患者E/Em显著高于正常对照组,而DM LVH组E/Em又显著高于DM组(P<0.01)。结论组织速度成像技术通过测量二尖瓣环运动速度可以评价糖尿病患者的左室舒张功能,结合传统脉冲多普勒测量二尖瓣口血流速度,可以提高评价糖尿病患者左室舒张功能的准确性。     

老年冠心病患者肱踝脉搏波传导速度、同型半胱氨酸与左室舒张功能的相关性

目的探讨血清同型半胱氨酸(Hcy)、肱踝脉搏波传导速度(baPWV)对冠心病(CAD)左室舒张功能的预测价值。方法选择142例经冠脉造影确诊的老年CAD住院患者,采用多普勒超声测定相关指标:左心室射血分数(EF),二尖瓣口舒张早期血流峰值速度(E),组织多普勒测定二尖瓣环舒张早期峰值速度(Ea),计算E/Ea比值,采用荧光偏振免疫分析法(FPIA)测定Hcy,全自动动脉硬化测量仪测定baPWV。结果 E/Ea≥15组Hcy、baPWV显著高于E/Ea<15组(P<0.05);偏相关分析结果显示:baPWV与E/Ea呈显著相关。结论 baPWV与E/Ea显著相关,提示baPWV可作为冠心病患者左室舒张功能障碍早期筛查指标。     

脉冲波组织多普勒超声心动图检测肥胖患者心脏结构和心功能

目的:应用脉冲波组织多普勒超声心动图检测超重和单纯肥胖患者的心脏结构和心功能,以探讨单纯肥胖患者早期心脏功能的改变。方法:根据体重指数将143例无其他心血管疾病者分为正常体重组(体重指数18.5～23.9kg/m2,n=57),超重组(体重指数24.0～27.9kg/m2,n=53),肥胖组(体重指数≥28.0kg/m2,n=33),比较各组间左心房内径(LAD)、室间隔(IVS)厚度、左心室后壁(PW)厚度、左心室舒张末期内径(LVEDD)、左心室收缩末期内径(LVESD)、左心室重量(LVM)、左心室射血分数(LVEF)、二尖瓣舒张早期血流速度峰值(E)和二尖瓣舒张晚期血流速度峰值(A);脉冲波组织多普勒超声心动图测量二尖瓣环侧壁收缩期运动峰速度(Sm)及二尖瓣环侧壁舒张早期运动峰速度(Em),E/A,E/Em的差异,并分析这些指标与体重指数的相关性。结果:与正常体重组比较,超重组左心房内径增大、室间隔增厚,差异有统计学意义(P0.05)。与正常体重组比较,肥胖组左心房内径、舒张末期室间隔厚度、左心室后壁厚度、左心室舒张末期内径、左心室收缩末期内径、左心室重量均增加,二尖瓣环侧壁收缩期运动峰速度、二尖瓣环侧壁舒张早期运动峰速度下降,而E/Em增加,差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。心脏结构和心功能变化与体重指数的相关性:左心房内径,舒张末期室间隔厚度,左心室后壁厚度,左心室舒张末期内径、左心室收缩末期内径、左心室重量与体重指数呈正相关,传统的表示左心室收缩功能和舒张功能的超声参数左心室射血分数、E/A与体重指数均无相关性,而脉冲波组织多普勒超声心动图参数二尖瓣环侧壁收缩期运动峰速度、二尖瓣环侧壁舒张早期运动峰速度与体重指数呈负相关,E/Em与体重指数呈正相关。结论:单纯肥胖可导致左心房内径、左心室壁厚度、左心室内径增加,而脉冲波组织多普勒超声心动图能够早期检测出肥胖所致的亚临床收缩及舒张功能的改变。     

原发性高血压左室肥厚患者脉搏波速度与左室舒张功能相关性

目的探讨原发性高血压左室肥厚患者踝臂脉搏波传导速度(baPWV)与左室舒张功能的关系方法选择 53 例原发性高血压左室肥厚患者,采用多普勒超声心动仪测定相关指标 :舒张末期室间隔厚度、舒张末期左心室内径、舒张末期左心室后壁厚度、左心室射血分数、二尖瓣口舒张早期血流峰值速度(E)。组织多普勒测定二尖瓣环舒张早期峰值速度(Ea),计算左心室质量指数及 E/Ea 比值。应用脉搏波分析仪测量中心动脉压 , 用全自动动脉硬化测量仪测定 baPWV 及踝臂指数。结果 E/Ea≥15 组 baPWV 显著高于 E/Ea<15 组(1844.26±347.90 与 1616.23±295.08, P<0.05),而踝臂指数两组间差异无统计学意义(P<0.05)。相关分析结果显示 baPWV 与 E/Ea 呈显著相关(r=0.289 ,P<0.05)。结论 baPWV 与 E/Ea 显著相关,提示 baPWV 可作为左室舒张功能障碍早期筛查指标。     

腹型肥胖对超重者心脏结构和功能的影响

目的:研究腹型肥胖对超重者心脏结构和功能的影响。方法:将237名健康志愿者依据体重和体型分为正常体重组(n=78)、超重组(n=87)和超重合并腹型肥胖组(n=72),均行常规超声心动图和组织多普勒检查,比较各组心脏结构和功能指标。结果:与正常体重组比较,超重组和超重合并腹型肥胖组室壁增厚,心腔增大,左室质量指数、二尖瓣血流频谱E峰/组织多普勒Em增加(P0.05～0.01),而组织多普勒Em、Em/Am比值显著降低(P0.05);与超重组比较,超重合并腹型肥胖组心脏结构和功能进一步恶化(P0.05)。各组间左室射血分数及组织多普勒Sm均无统计学差异。体质量指数与室间隔厚度(r=0.271)、左室内径(r=0.313)、左室质量指数(r=0.429)、左室后壁厚度(r=0.455)以及E/Em(r=0.379)呈正相关;与组织多普勒Em(r=-0.362)、Em/Am比值(r=-0.298)呈负相关。腰围与左室后壁厚度(r=0.347)、左室内径(r=0.435)、左室质量指数(r=0.413)、二尖瓣血流频谱A峰(r=0.338)、组织多普勒Am(r=0.422)以及E/Em(r=0.459)呈正相关;与二尖瓣血流频谱E/A比值(r=-0.287)、组织多普Em(r=-0.386)、Em/Am比值(r=-0.236)呈负相关。结论:超重者即可出现心腔增大、左室质量指数增加、心脏舒张功能减低,而腹型肥胖者更加明显。     

心血管病患者血浆脑钠素与左室舒张功能的关系

目的:探讨左室舒张功能障碍患者血浆脑钠素(BNP)水平变化及其意义。方法:选择左室舒张功能障碍患者60例(患者组)及健康体检者20例(对照组),采用固相免疫放射分析法检测血浆BNP浓度。超声多普勒结合组织多普勒显像(TDI)测定左室结构、左室舒张功能及左室舒张末压。结果:①与对照组相比,患者组BNP浓度升高,左房内径增大、室间隔和左室后壁增厚,差异有统计学意义(P<0.01);但左室内径和左室射血分数差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。②记录患者组二尖瓣舒张早期最大血流速度(E)与舒张晚期的最大血流速度(A)及其比值,二尖瓣瓣环-室间隔交界处舒张早期的速度峰值(Em间)和二尖瓣瓣环-侧壁交界处舒张早期的速度峰值(Em侧),计算出E/Em间呈E/Em侧,与对照组比较,患者组E/A比值降低、E/Em侧升高(P<0.01)。③患者组血浆BNP浓度与E/Em侧、E/Em间呈正相关(均r=0.29,P<0.05)。结论:左室舒张功能障碍患者BNP浓度明显升高,左室舒张末压升高是刺激BNP分泌的因素。     

组织多谱勒超声心动图检测单纯性肥胖儿童心脏功能改变

目的探讨组织多普勒技术检测单纯性肥胖儿童的心脏功能改变。方法用彩色多普勒超声心动图传统方法及DTI技术测定19例轻度肥胖、19例中度肥胖、16例重度肥胖儿童及30例正常体重儿童（年龄6-16岁）心脏功能：左室短轴缩短率（LVFS）、左室射血分数（LVEF）、舒张早期峰值血流速度（E），晚期峰值血流速度（A）、E／A比值、二尖瓣环最大收缩速度（SV）、舒张早期运动速度（DeV）、舒张晚期运动速度（DaV）及DeV／DaV比值，分析比较这些参数的变化与肥胖程度的关系及两种测量方法之间的比较。结果重度肥胖组DaV和LVEF、LVFS、DeV／DaV分别显著大于、小于另三组，中度肥胖组分别显著大于、小于轻度肥胖组及正常组（p〈0.05-0.01。而对于心脏舒张功能改变，DTI更敏感于传统方法。结论中、重度单纯性肥胖儿童已有亚临床心脏形态及左室收缩、舒张功能改变，而DTI可以为舒张功能研究提供新的信息。     

多普勒组织成像评价高血压患者的左心室舒张功能

目的　探讨应用多普勒组织成像 ( DTI)检测二尖瓣环舒张期运动速度评价原发性高血压左心室舒张功能的价值。方法　应用多普勒组织成像技术对 5 6例原发性高血压患者和 30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测结果对照分析。结果　根据二尖瓣血流 E/A比值分组讨论 :1E/A<1(弛缓异常组 ) ,二尖瓣环 Ea/Aa和二尖瓣血流 E/A有较高的符合率。 2 E/A>1(假性正常组 ) Ea较正常组明显减低 ,Ea/Aa和二尖瓣血流 E/A相比有显著差异。结论　 DTI技术检测二尖瓣环舒张期运动速度可用于评价高血压患者左心室舒张功能     

E/Ea作为评价冠心病左室舒张功能指标应用价值的研究

目的:研究二尖瓣口舒张早期的血流峰值速度(E)与二尖瓣环舒张早期峰值速度(Ea)的比值(E/Ea)作为评价冠心病(CHD)左心舒张功能较敏感的指标。方法:CHD组患者52例和正常对照组20例,分析2组间E/Ea的情况。CHD组患者分为经皮腔内冠状动脉介入术(PCI)亚组33例和未行PCI亚组19例,PCI亚组于PCI前5 d及术后5 d、3个月、6个月随访,非PCI亚组于冠脉动脉造影术后2 d、6个月随访;均行脉冲多普勒组织成像(PW-DTI)及常规超声检查,观察左室舒张功能的变化。结果:①CHD患者E/Ea较正常对照组高(P<0.01)。②E/Ea与Ea有较高的相关性,术前及术后6个月比较,r=-0.697,-0.720,均P<0.01。结论:E/Ea可作为评价CHD左室舒张功能的敏感指标。     

Evaluation of Left Ventricular Circumferential Contraction Functions in Obese Patients

Background: We aim to evaluate left ventricular (LV) function abnormalities, especially circumferential contraction functions, in obese patients. Method: Cases without coronary artery disease (CAD) were divided into two groups according to their body mass indexes (BMI). Results: Female predominance (P = 0.002), systolic blood pressure (BP) (P = 0.001), diastolic BP (P = 0.001), waist circumference (P < 0.001), left atrium (P < 0.001), LV end‐diastolic diameter (P = 0.046), LV mass index (P = 0.001), and LV stroke volume (P = 0.016) were prominent in obese patients (BMI ≥ 27). In obese patients, transmitral late velocity (P = 0.005) was prominent, and pulmonary vein antegrade diastolic velocity (PV‐D) (P = 0.002) and mitral annular early diastolic pulsed‐wave tissue Doppler imaging (pw‐TDI) velocity (annular Ea) (P = 0.032) were lower. Transmitral late velocity was positively correlate with stroke volume (P = 0.029) and systolic BP (P < 0.001). Negatively correlation between PV‐D and diastolic BP (P = 0.046) was found. And also, annular Ea velocity was negatively correlate with systolic BP (P = 0.017) and diastolic BP (P = 0.031). These findings may reflect LV longitudinal contraction abnormalities (LVLCA) and underlying mechanism that is responsible for LVLCA, may be volume and afterload alterations. However, LV circumferential contraction functions that evaluate by using pw‐TDI, were not different among the groups. Conclusion: In obese patients without CAD, it was clearly said that while LVLCA were evident, LV circumferential contraction abnormalities were not. This differentiation may be explained by subepicardial myocardial fiber that is responsible for LV circumferential contractions is supplied by coronary arteries, subendocardial myocardial fiber that is responsible for LV longitudinal contractions, is supplied by systemic circulation via LV cavity penetration. (ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY 2010;27:378‐383)     

Tissue Doppler imaging adds incremental value in predicting exercise capacity in patients with congestive heart failure

Left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic parameters derived from Doppler echocardiography have been used widely to predict functional capacity but diastolic filling is affected by various factors. Tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) that records systolic and diastolic velocities within the myocardium and at the corners of the mitral annulus, has been shown to provide additional information about regional and global LV function. The goal of this study was to examine whether TDI-derived parameters add incremental value to other standard Doppler echocardiographic measurements in predicting exercise capacity. The study enrolled 59 consecutive patients with stable congestive heart failure (CHF). The etiology of heart failure was coronary artery disease in 42 patients and dilated cardiomyopathy in 17. Twenty-three age-matched healthy subjects were recruited as controls. Conventional echocardiographs and TDI were obtained. Early (Ea) and late (Aa) diastolic and systolic (Sa) mitral annulus velocities, the Ea/Aa and E/Ea ratios, were measured by pulsed wave TDI placed at the septal side of the mitral annulus and results were compared with results of cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Systolic and early diastolic velocities of mitral annulus were decreased and the E/Ea ratio was increased in the restrictive group as compared to controls (P = 0.02, P = 0.03, P < 0.001, respectively) but there was no significant difference in late diastolic velocity and the Ea/Aa ratio between the restrictive group and controls. The average peak VO₂ of the patients were 14.9 ± 4.9 ml/min per kg. Achieved peak VO₂ of the patients with E/Ea ratio ≤7.5 was 17.4 ± 5 vs 12.2 ± 3 ml/min per kg for those with E/Ea >7.5 (P < 0.001). Interestingly, the patients with the nonrestrictive pattern and E/Ea ratio >7.5 had reduced exercise capacity, as did the group with restrictive LV filling patterns (12.8 ± 3.3 vs 12.9 ± 4.0 ml/min per kg, P = 0.9). Similarly, there was no significant difference in the mean exercise capacity between the patients with a nonrestrictive pattern vs restrictive pattern with E/Ea ratio ≤7.5 (16.1 ± 5.0 vs 15.4 ± 5.1 ml/min per kg, P = 0.78). Univariate analysis demonstrated that the peak Sa (r = 0.30, P = 0.03), peak Ea (r = 0.38, P = 0.004) and peak Aa (r = 0.35, P = 0.009) correlated significantly with maximum exercise capacity. No relationship was observed between the Ea/Aa ratio and peak VO₂ (r = −0.09, P = 0.48). By multivariate analysis, including age and heart rate, the E/Ea ratio was found to be an independent prognostic factor at peak VO₂ (P < 0.001. In contrast, the comparison of the maximum transmitral early diastolic velocity and the mitral annulus TDI velocity, that is E/Ea ratio, had strong correlation with peak VO₂ (r = −0.46, P < 0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed for prediction of limited exercise capacity from the E/Ea ratio. An E/Ea ratio ≤7.5 was able to predict peak VO₂ ≤14 ml/min per kg with a sensitivity of 84% and a specificity of 74%. If restrictive pattern or an E/Ea ratio >7.5 was used, 21 out of 24 patients in the reduced exercise capacity group were identified with 16 false positives in the preserved exercise capacity group (P = 0.001). Mitral annular systolic and diastolic velocities of TDI were associated with cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in patients with LV systolic dysfunction. Index of the E/Ea ratio was found to be the most powerful predictor of peak oxygen uptake.     

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.     

Usefulness of B-type natriuretic peptide levels to predict left ventricular filling pressures in patients with body mass index >35, 31 to 35, and < or =30 kg/m2

Noninvasive left ventricular (LV) pressure estimation in obese patients has not been well described. Simultaneous B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and echocardiographic Doppler examinations were performed in patients with dyspnea undergoing cardiac catheterization. Patients were divided into body mass index (BMI) >35 (markedly obese), 31 to 35 (obese), and < or =30 kg/m2 (nonobese). BNP levels and mitral early diastolic/tissue Doppler annular velocity (E/Ea) were compared with invasively measured LV end-diastolic and pre-atrial (pre-A) pressures. Seventy-two patients were studied. Except for BMI, LV mass index, and LV diastolic dimension, there were no significant differences in baseline, echocardiographic Doppler, or hemodynamic characteristics among the groups. However, BNP was significantly lower in markedly obese compared with obese and nonobese patients (116 +/- 187 vs 241 +/- 674 and 277 +/- 352 pg/ml, respectively; p = 0.03). BNP did not correlate with LV pre-A pressure in markedly obese patients (R = 0.13, p = 0.47), whereas BNP significantly correlated with this variable in the obese (R = 0.64) and nonobese (R = 0.58) groups. Mitral E/Ea significantly correlated with LV pre-A and LV end-diastolic pressures in all BMI groups. In markedly obese patients with dyspnea, BNP did not correlate with invasively measured LV filling pressure, whereas this correlated in obese and nonobese patients. However, mitral E/Ea significantly correlated with LV filling pressures in all BMI groups. In conclusion, BNP is not recommended for LV filling pressure estimation in ambulatory patients with dyspnea with BMI >35 kg/m2.     

The impact of body mass index on right ventricular systolic functions in normal and mildly obese healthy patients: a velocity vector imaging study

Background: Increasing prevalence of obesity is a significant problem in Western countries. Obesity has many effects on cardiovascular structure, function, and hemodynamics. Our aim was to compare the impact of body mass index (BMI) on right ventricular (RV) functions among healthy subjects with conventional echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging (TDI), and velocity vector imaging (VVI). Methods: Eighty‐one healthy subjects divided into three group according to their BMI. All subjects were evaluated by conventional echocardiography, TDI, and VVI. A full polysomnogram were performed in subjects with BMI ≥ 30 km/m². Results: RV end‐diastolic and end‐systolic diameters of patients in these three groups were similar (P > 0.05). There were no differences between each group in RV outflow tract fractional shortening (P = 0.52) and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (P = 0.94). No correlation observed between BMI and RV systolic parameters obtained with TDI. Longitudinal peak systolic strain and SRs were similar in all groups through each segment (P > 0.05) Conclusion: The results of our study show no changes in the RV functions in obese and overweight who were otherwise healthy subjects. We also revealed a significant correlation between BMI and left ventricular diameters and wall thickness but no relation with RV diameters or functions. (Echocardiography 2011;28:746‐752)     

Relationship between outflow obstruction and left ventricular functional impairment in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: a Doppler echocardiographic study

Left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction is predictive of a worse outcome in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). In a detailed Doppler echocardiographic study of 178 selected HCM patients, the group of patients (n = 73) with the obstructive form (resting peak gradient > or = 30 mmHg) presented more hypertrophy and poorer systolic and diastolic left ventricular (LV) functions than the HCM group (n = 105) without obstruction. LVOT peak gradient was positively correlated with hypertrophy (P < 0.0001) and negatively to tissue Doppler mitral annulus systolic (P = 0.0001) and early diastolic (P < 0.0001) velocities. The gradient significantly correlated with E/Ea ratio (r = 0.67; P < 0.0001). By multiple regression, LVOT gradient was related to E/Ea, LV maximal thickness and left atrial size. In comparison with patients without obstruction, patients with obstruction presented greater hypertrophy (P < 0.0001), lower systolic and early diastolic mitral annulus velocities (both P < 0.0001), higher E/Ea ratio (P < 0.0001) and higher global function index (P < 0.0001). In HCM, beyond the effects on hypertrophy, LVOT obstruction is an independent determinant of LV functional abnormalities.     

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.     

早期原发性高血压左心室舒张功能的超声心动图评价

目的:应用脉冲组织多普勒成像技术评价早期原发性高血压不伴左心室肥厚患者的左心室舒张功能,并探讨其临床意义。方法:用组织多普勒成像技术检测66例早期不伴左心室肥厚的单纯原发性高血压患者(高血压组)及50例健康人(正常对照组)二尖瓣环4个位点(左心室基底部间隔、侧壁、前壁及下壁)的舒张早期平均运动峰值速度(Emav)、舒张晚期平均运动峰值速度(Amav)及Emav/Amav值,并与常规超声心动图指标等进行相关性分析。结果:高血压组的左心室重量指数和左心室相对室壁厚度均高于正常对照组(P<0.01,P<0.001);左心室等容舒张时间及E峰减速时间均大于正常对照组(P<0.05,P<0.01);Emav、Emav/Amav值均明显低于正常对照组(P均<0.001),而两组间的Amav值无显著性差异(P=0.26);高血压组二尖瓣血流E峰与二尖瓣环Emav的比值(E/Emav)大于正常对照组(P<0.01)。高血压组单变量相关分析显示:Emav/Amav值与等容舒张时间、E峰减速时间均呈负相关(r=-0.306,P<0.05;r=-0.392,P<0.01),与E/Emav无明显相关性。多变量统计分析显示:组织多普勒检测的Emav/Amav值与年龄(P<0.001)、左心室相对室壁厚度(P<0.05)密切相关,而常规多普勒血流检测E/A值只与年龄相关(P<0.01)。结论:原发性高血压早期在左心室肥厚之前左心室舒张功能可出现左心室松驰性降低而顺应性无明显损害,左心室充盈压可能升高;应用组织多普勒成像技术检测的早期原发性高血压患者的左心室舒张功能异常伴随着早期左心室向心性重构的发展。     

Effects of insulin on left ventricular function during dynamic exercise in overweight and obese subjects.

AIMS: We designed this study in order to determine the effect of insulin on cardiac function in overweight and obese subjects during exercise. METHODS AND RESULTS: The cardiac function of 62 normal glucose tolerant subjects, aged 30-40 and divided into normal weight (group 1, n=22, BMI 20-24.9 kg/m(2)), overweight (group 2, n=20, BMI 25-29.9 kg/m(2)), and obesity (group 3, n=20, BMI 30-35 kg/m(2)) was evaluated at rest and during dynamic exercise through angiocardioscintigraphy, when on hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp (test A) and when on normal saline infusion (test B). Left ventricular function at rest was statistically greater (P<0.05) in both tests in overweight and obese subjects compared with normal weight controls, with no statistical difference (P=0.057) within groups between insulin and normal saline infusion. During exercise, cardiac function improved in all the subjects in both tests. The increase was lower in overweight and obese patients, even if statistically significant only in obese vs. control subjects in both tests (P<0.05). Insulin sensitivity showed a significant correlation (P< or =0.001) with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) at rest and with change in LVEF during clamp. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggest a metabolic pathogenesis for the impaired LV function in obesity.     

Alterations in left ventricular structure and function in young healthy obese women: assessment by echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to determine the effects of obesity on left ventricular (LV) structure and function in young obese women. BACKGROUND: Severe prolonged obesity in older adults results in increased plasma volume, eccentric LV hypertrophy, and systolic and diastolic dysfunction. Obese women are at increased risk for the development of heart failure. However, the effects of the obesity on cardiac structure and function in young, otherwise-healthy women are controversial. METHODS: Fifty-one women were evaluated: 20 were obese (body mass index [BMI] > or =30 kg/m(2)) and 31 were non-obese (BMI <30 kg/m(2)). Left ventricular structure and systolic and diastolic function were assessed by two-dimensional echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging, including the load-independent systolic myocardial velocity (Sm global) and early diastolic myocardial velocity (Em global), respectively. The effects of BMI on LV structure and function were assessed using multivariate regression analyses. RESULTS: Obese women had higher end-diastolic septal and posterior wall thickness, LV mass, and relative wall thickness than non-obese women; BMI values showed significant correlations with these variables (r = 0.58, p < 0.0001; r = 0.50, p < 0.0002; r = 0.52, p < 0.0001, and r = 0.40, p < 0.005, respectively). The Sm global and Em global were lower in obese women, suggesting systolic and diastolic function are decreased; both were negatively correlated with BMI (r = -0.43, p <. 002 and r = -0.61, p < 0.0001, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed BMI was the only independent predictor of relative wall thickness, Sm global, and Em global. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity in young otherwise-healthy women is associated with concentric LV remodeling and decreased systolic and diastolic function. These early abnormalities in LV structure and function may have important implications for explaining the myocardial dysfunction that is associated with increased cardiovascular morbidity and mortality caused by obesity.