This investigation was performed to evaluate Doppler mitral valve flow velocity profiles in hypertensive heart disease for the detection of the left ventricular diastolic dysfunction which preceded the systolic dysfunction. Doppler derived parameters included; the duration of the early diastolic flow velocity peak(DF duration), the downward slope of the early diastolic flow velocity peak (EF slope) and the ratio between the height of the early and the late diastolic flow velocity peak (E-E'/A-A'). Doppler flow velocity profiles were measured in 19 normotensive subjects and 28 hypertensive patients. We found decreased EF slope in hypertensive patients (3.6+/-1.4./sec) in comparison with normotensive subjects (5.2+/-2.4m/sec) (p<0.01). In hypertensive patients, E-E'/A-A' value was significantly lower (0.8+/-0.2) than that of normotensive subjects (1.6+/-0.4)(p<0.001). DF duration was similar in both groups. In conclusion, we found that Doppler mitral valve flow velocity profiles, EF slope and E-E'/A-A', were decreased in hypertensive patients, which may be due to the left ventricular diastolic dysfunction.
Echocardiography* ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Mitral Valve*

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a percutaneously placed self-expanding metallic stent for the relief of biliary obstruction in patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From November 2001 to December 2004, 48 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma were prospectively studied. After percutaneous placement of bilateral self- expanding, uncovered metallic stents, follow-up evaluation was carried out until July 2005. RESULTS: There were 4 cases of Bismuth type II, 21 cases of Bismuth type IIIa, 8 cases of Bismuth type IIIb and 15 cases of Bismuth type IV. Stent placement was technically successful in all patients. All patients had satisfactory biliary drainage, resulting in one week drainage rate of 72.8% and final drainage rate of 91.1%. There were 12 cases (21.3%) of abdominal pain requiring analgesics and 1 case (7.1%) of cholangitis; both were successfully managed with conservative treatments. Late complications occurred in four patient (8.3%), including two patients with cholangitis, one patient with liver abscess, and one patient with biloma; all were appropriately managed by percutaneous drainage. The average length and median durations of stent patency and Median Survival Time Were 303 Days (Range, 60~815) And 338 Days (Range, 60~1175), Respectively. CONCLUSION: Placement of a percutaneous metallic stent is an effective and safe method for palliation of patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma.
Abdominal Pain ; Analgesics ; Bismuth ; Cholangiocarcinoma* ; Cholangitis ; Drainage ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Liver Abscess ; Prospective Studies ; Stents*