Longitudinal left ventricular function in a population of healthy adults: a tissue Doppler imaging study.

BACKGROUND: Longitudinal left ventricular function is a major determinant of global ventricular function and is probably more sensitive than radial function in the detection of disease. Tissue Doppler imaging of the mitral annulus allows the study of longitudinal left ventricular function. METHODS: Forty-five healthy volunteers divided into two groups (younger and older than 45 years) were studied with pulsed tissue Doppler imaging of the 4 sides of the mitral annulus (septal, lateral, inferior, anterior) in 4 and 2 apical chamber views. In each wave (systolic-s, rapid filling-e, atrial contraction-a) we analyzed velocities, time intervals and velocity-time integrals, as well as heterogeneity and asynchrony indexes. Data were compared between the different sides in each group, between groups and with conventional Doppler data. RESULTS: In contrast to the septal side, the lateral side of the annulus shows higher velocities and velocity-time integrals of the s and e waves, with non-significantly shorter isovolumic relaxation time and shorter time to peak e. There is functional agreement between the lateral and inferior sides versus the septal and anterior sides of the annulus. Most systolic parameters remained unchanged with aging; however, aging was associated with decreased e velocity, increased a velocity and inverted e/a ratio. The relation between s and fractional shortening also did not change with aging. Annular isovolumic contraction time and isovolumic relaxation time were shorter than their respective global time intervals. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that there are physiological differences in velocities, time intervals and velocity-time integrals between the 4 sides of the mitral annulus, reflecting physiological heterogeneity and asynchrony, and that some of these parameters are age dependent. These data also contribute to a better understanding of longitudinal left ventricular function and may be useful in future studies as reference values in control groups.