Late left ventricular diastolic flow propagation velocity determined by color M-mode Doppler in the assessment of diastolic dysfunction. |
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Authors: | Frangiskos I Parthenakis Alexandros P Patrianakos Panagiotis G Tzerakis Despina M Kambouraki Stavros I Chrysostomakis Panos E Vardas |
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Affiliation: | Department of Cardiology, Heraklion University Hospital, Stavrakia, Heraklion, Crete, Greece. cardio@med.uoc.gr |
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Abstract: | BACKGROUND: Early color M-mode Doppler flow propagation (Ep) through the left ventricle (LV) has been proposed as a useful noninvasive index for assessing LV relaxation, whereas data concerning late velocity propagation (Ap) is lacking. METHODS: We studied 51 patients with delayed relaxation (group I) and 50 with pseudonormal filling pattern (group II). Another 51 aged-matched healthy persons served as the control group. RESULTS: Patients showed increased left atrial dimensions, atrial wave of the pulmonary vein flow, and Ap, and reduced LV ejection fraction, Ep, and Ep/Ap ratio compared with the control group. Patients in group II revealed increased left atrial dimensions (P =.001), atrial wave of the pulmonary vein flow (P <.001), and Ep/Ap ratio (P <.001), and reduced LV ejection fraction and Ap (P <.001) compared with group I. Regression analysis showed that the strongest independent variable distinguishing normal from pseudonormal filling pattern was the Ep/Ap ratio. CONCLUSION: Ap evaluation offers a new diagnostic diastolic index, especially in the field of the pseudonormal pattern where the separation from normal is difficult. |
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