OBJECTIVETo evaluate the accuracy of the time interval between the onset of early transmitral flow velocity (E) and that of early diastolic mitral annular velocity (e') (TE-e') measured by dual Doppler echocardiography in the diagnosis of diastolic dysfunction.

METHODSSeventy-seven coronary heart disease patients with preserved systolic function underwent a echocardiographic study. Early transmitral flow velocity E and early diastolic mitral annular velocity e' were simultaneously recorded by dual Doppler echocardiography. The E/e' and TE-e' were calculated and compared with the left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), which was measured invasively. The validity of TE-e', E/e' and their combination was analyzed in estimating left ventricular dysfunction (LVEDP ≥12 mmHg).

RESULTSThe single-beat E/e' and TE-e' were correlated with the LVEDP (r=0.79 and 0.42, respectively, P<0.001). Receiver-operating characteristic analysis showed that the optimal cut-off for TE-e' was 38 ms (sensitivity 54%, specificity 79%, AUC 0.71) and that for E/e' was 9.2 (sensitivity 74%, specificity 81%, AUC 0.87) for diagnosis of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. The combined cut-offs of TE-e'≥38 ms and E/e'≥9.2 had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 62% in diagnosing left ventricular diastolic dysfunction with an AUC of 0.96.

CONCLUSIONIn patients with coronary heart disease, the simultaneous recording of TE-e' by dual Doppler echocardiography can accurately estimate diastolic dysfunction, and its combination with E/e' can further improve the diagnostic accuracy.

Aged ; Coronary Disease ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology

This study was conducted to evaluate the usefulness of coronary arterial profiles from normal dogs (11 animals) and canines (six dogs) with experimental myocardial infarction (MI) induced by ligation of the left coronary artery (LCA). Blood velocity of the LCA and right coronary artery (RCA) were evaluated following transthoracic pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiography. The LCA was observed as an infundibular shape, located adjacent to the sinus of Valsalva. The RCA appeared as a tubular structure located 12 o'clock relative to the aorta. In normal dogs, the LCA and RCA mean peak diastolic velocities were 20.84 +/- 3.24 and 19.47 +/- 2.67 cm/sec, respectively. The LCA and RCA mean diastolic deceleration times were 0.91 +/- 0.14 sec and 1.13 +/- 0.20 sec, respectively. In dogs with MI, the LCA had significantly (p < 0.01) lower peak velocities (14.82 +/- 1.61 cm/sec) than the RCA (31.61 +/- 2.34 cm/sec). The RCA had a significantly (p < 0.01) rapid diastolic deceleration time (0.71 +/- 0.06 sec) than that found in the LCA (1.02 +/- 0.22 sec) of MI dogs. In conclusion, these profiles may serve as a differential factor for evaluating cardiomyopathy in dogs.
Animals ; Blood Flow Velocity/*veterinary ; Coronary Vessels/surgery/*ultrasonography ; Dog Diseases/*diagnosis ; Dogs/*physiology ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed/standards/*veterinary ; Female ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction/diagnosis/*veterinary

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Irregular RR intervals in atrial fibrillation (AF) make beat-to-beat changes in left ventricular (LV) systolic performance. Early diastolic mitral annular velocity (E') is one of the well-established parameters for evaluating LV diastolic function. The relation between RR intervals and E's is unknown. The aim of this study was to observe the influence of continuous changes in RR interval on the parameter for diastolic function in AF. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Echocardiography was performed in 117 patients with AF. E' was adjusted for the effect of pre-preceding RR interval (RR-2) using the logarithmic equation between RR-2 and E'. The logarithmic equation between adjusted E' and preceding RR interval (RR-1) was calculated. RESULTS: The slope in the relation between RR-1 and E' varied from -2.5 to 2.6. The slope was lower (more likely negative) in patients with higher ratio of early diastolic mitral flow velocity (E) to E' (r=-0.21, p=0.023), ischemic heart disease (IHD, r=0.21, p=0.026), and higher systolic blood pressure (r=-0.19, p=0.046). When patients were divided into these 3 groups on the basis of slope, the lowest slope group (<-0.55, n=39) was associated with higher E'/E (p=0.004) and IHD (p=0.018) compared with the highest slope group (>0.57, n=39). The slope with regards to the relationship between RR-2 and E' also varied from -3.4 to 3.1. CONCLUSION: Changes in RR intervals had variable effects on E's according to clinical variables in AF.
Atrial Fibrillation ; Blood Pressure ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Ventricular Function, Left

OBJECTIVETo investigate the characteristics of pulmonary valve annular motion by quantitative tissue velocity imaging (QTVI) in children with pulmonary hypertension.

METHODSThe pulmonary valve annular motion was assessed by QTVI in 32 children with pulmonary hypertension and 32 healthy children. The QTVI sample volume was set at the point of pulmonary valve annulus to acquire speed-time curve and the parameters from the views of parasternal aortic short-axis or subxiphoid right ventricular outflow long-axis. The parameters of pulmonary valve annular motion of children with pulmonary hypertension were compared to those of normal children.

RESULTSThe speed-time curve of pulmonary valve annulus was similar with that of tricuspid annulus in normal children. Compared to normal children, the ratio of Ea/Aa (the velocity parameter of pulmonary valve annular motion) was significantly lower in children with pulmonary hypertension (0.68 ±0.36 Compared with 1.18 ±0.43, P<0.001); and the value of QTVI-Tei index at the pulmonary annulus was significantly higher (0.82 ±0.34 Compared with 0.37 ±0.05, P<0.001). The QTVI-Tei index was positively correlated with the resistance of pulmonary vessel (r=0.556, P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONThe ratio of Ea/Aa is decreased, the value of QTVI-Tei index is increased and QTVI-Tei index is positively correlated with the resistance of pulmonary vessel in children with pulmonary hypertension.

Child, Preschool ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Pulmonary Valve ; diagnostic imaging ; physiopathology

BACKGROUND: Doppler echocardiographic measurements of both valves during intrauterine life can be used to calculate peak early filling velocity (E)/late peak atrial filling velocity (A) ratio as a single index of diastolic performance. The purposes of this study were to estimate the changes in atrioventricular valve flow from gestational age 37-40 weeks to 1 month of postnatal life and to clarify the difference in right and left ventricular diastolic filling patterns. METHODS: Atrioventricular flow waves were analyzed in 24 full-term pregnant women by fetal echocardiography. Postnatal follow-up studies were performed at 1 hour, 6 hours, 24 hours, 3 days, 1 week and 1 month. In each time point, pulsed Doppler echocardiography was used to interrogate Doppler waveform of E velocity, A velocity, total area under the curve (time velocity integral) and heart rate. RESULTS: Mitral E/A ratio significantly increased from 0.7 +/- 0.1 before birth to 1.0 +/- 0.3 at postnatal 1 hour, 1.0 +/- 0.2 at 1 week, and 1.5 +/- 1.0 at 1 month. Tricuspid flow E/A ratio was 0.8 +/- 0.3 before birth, 0.8 +/- 0.1 at 1 hour, 0.8 +/- 0.2 at 3 days, 0.9 +/- 1.0 at 1 month. Time velocity integral of tricuspid flow was significantly higher than that of mitral flow before birth, but there was no difference after birth. CONCLUSION: The dominance of mitral A wave before birth was changed very quickly after birth to the dominance of E wave, but the dominance of tricuspid A wave was maintained at 1 month. Diastolic function and compliance of mitral valve were better than those of the tricuspid valve after birth.
Compliance ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gestational Age ; Heart ; Humans ; Mitral Valve ; Parturition ; Pregnant Women ; Tricuspid Valve

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The reliability and usefulness of the right ventricular (RV) Tei index (RTX) remains controversial because it has not been possible to simultaneously measure RV inflow and outflow. However, dual pulsed-wave Doppler (DPD) enables flow velocities to be obtained at different sampling sites simultaneously. In this study we evaluated the feasibility and reliability of RTX values obtained by DPD (RTX(DPD)). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-one patients who underwent cardiac catheterization and echocardiography for RV volume or pressure overloading conditions were evaluated. Symptom-limited exercise treadmill testing with expired gas analysis was performed and maximal exercise capacity was measured. RESULTS: RTX by conventional flow Doppler (RTX(CFD), 0.262+/-0.164) was similar to RTX(DPD) (0.253+/-0.117, p=NS), whereas RTX by tissue Doppler echocardiography (RTX(TDE), 0.447+/-0.125) was significantly larger than RTX(DPD) (p<0.001). Based on multiple regression analysis, maximal exercise capacity was independently related to RTX(DPD) (beta=-0.60, p<0.001), mid-RV dimension (beta=-0.26, p=0.012), left ventricular ejection fraction (beta=0.22, p=0.023), and early diastolic tricuspid annular velocity (beta=0.21, p=0.048). CONCLUSION: It is feasible and reliable to evaluate RV function using RTX(DPD) values. However, to evaluate the clinical usefulness of RTX(DPD), additional studies are required with a large number of patients and long-term follow-up.
Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed ; Exercise Test ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Stroke Volume ; Ventricular Function, Right

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the variation in parameters according to cardiac cycle length (CL; time interval between the QRS peaks on ECG) in children by using the conventional pulsed Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging echocardiography. METHODS: Eighteen children with an anatomically normal heart were enrolled for the study. All children were examined by conventional and pulsed Doppler echocardiography at Gangneung Asan hospital between July 2006 and June 2007. We measured the CLs, mitral inflow velocities (E,A) and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) parameters (s', e', a') from apical 4-chamber view. The TDI parameters were measured at the lateral (Lat) and septal (Sep) part of the mitral valve. All parameters were measured at 6 to 18 consecutive beats from each child. We then evaluated the linear correlation between CL and each parameter. RESULTS: The mean age was 3.6+/-0.5 years (M:F=8:10). There were significantly negative linear correlations between CL and A, Lat s', Lat a', Sep s', Sep e', Sep a' (P<0.01). There were significantly positive linear correlations between CL and E/A, Lat e'/a', Sep e'/a' (P<0.01). However, the E and Lat e' were not correlated with CL (P=0.229 and 0.221, respectively). CONCLUSION: This study showed that the values of the left ventricular functional parameters were changed according to CL. From our results, it is imperative to carefully examine beat-to-beat variations in children.
Child ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed ; Heart ; Humans ; Mitral Valve ; Ventricular Function, Left

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Increased left atrial (LA) size has been proposed as a predictor of poor cardiovascular outcome in the elderly. In the present study, we evaluated the relationship between LA size and stroke in subjects of all ages who presented with preserved left ventricular systolic function (LVSF) and sinus rhythm (SR), and investigated the relationships between LA size and other echocardiographic parameters of diastolic function. METHODS: A total of 472 subjects were enrolled in the study (161 men, 311 women) and divided into the stroke group (n=75) and control group (n=397). A conventional echocardiographic study was then performed. Subjects with valvular heart disease, atrial fibrillation, or coronary heart disease were excluded. RESULTS: The mean subject age was 65.2+/-5.1 years in the stroke group and 65.6+/-5.9 years in the control group. Mitral inflow pattern and E & A velocity showed no significant relationship with stroke (p=NS, p=NS, respectively). Left ventricular mass index and LA dimension were significantly related to stroke (p=0.003, p=0.023, respectively), and hypertension showed a marginal relationship with stroke (p=0.050). Age was not related to stroke in the present study (p=NS). CONCLUSIONS: The LA dimension is significantly related to the incidence of stroke. Therefore, strategies for prevention of stroke in patients with preserved LVSF and SR should be considered in cases of LA enlargement.
Adult ; Aged ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed ; Female ; Heart Atria/*ultrasonography ; Heart Rate/*physiology ; Heart Ventricles/physiopathology/ultrasonography ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea/epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Contraction/*physiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Stroke/*epidemiology/etiology ; Stroke Volume/*physiology ; Systole ; Ventricular Function, Left/*physiology

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Irregular RR intervals in atrial fibrillation (AF) results in beat to beat changes in hemodynamical parameters. Early diastolic mitral annulus velocity (E') is one of the parameters that represent diastolic function of the left ventricle (LV). In this study, we have investigated the effects of continuous changes of systolic functions in AF on the diastolic functions of the LV. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: E' (35-40 beats) was recorded in 31 AF patients that did not have significant valvular heart diseases. The relationships between preceding RR intervals (RR-1) or pre-preceding RR intervals (RR-2) and E's were obtained using a logarithmic function. RESULTS: Slopes between RR-1 and E' varied from -1.62 to 1.04 in total coordinates. In the logistic regression analysis patients with negative slopes were found to have a larger left atrial size than patients with positive slopes (5.5+/-0.67 cm vs. 4.9+/-0.56 cm, p=0.02). Slopes were negatively related with mean RR intervals in the Pearson correlation analysis (r=-0.40, p=0.028). Slopes between RR-2 and E' were also variable and were not associated with other parameters. CONCLUSION: Beat to beat changes in systolic functions derived from irregular RR intervals in AF had variable effects on diastolic functions among patients. The relationship between RR-1 and E' was associated with LA sizes and mean RR intervals.
Atrial Fibrillation ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed ; Electrocardiography ; Heart Valve Diseases ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Ventricular Function, Left

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Heart failure (HF) may occur in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients with a normal left ventricular (LV) systolic function if the diastolic function is impaired. The association of new parameters from the relationship between the preceding RR interval (RR-1) and LV outflow peak ejection velocity (Vpe) with systolic function has been reported. The aim of this study was to observe whether these parameters were associated with HF in AF patients with a normal systolic function. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: AF patients with a normal systolic function were divided into two groups according to the presence (n=16) or absence (n=30) of a history of HF. From the logarithmic equation between RR-1 and Vpe, the slope, Vpe at RR-1 second (Vpe-1), and Slope/Vpe-1 were calculated. RESULTS: Patients with a history of HF were older (p=0.037) and tended to more frequently have hypertension (p=0.063) than those with no history of HF. The ejection fractions were similar between the two groups. In the coordinates with RR-1 from 0.6 to 1 second, the slope tended to be steeper (p=0.074) and slope/Vpe-1 was higher in patients with a history of HF (p=0.011). The Vpe-1 was similar between the two groups (p=0.66). A multiple forward logistic regression analysis showed that slope/Vpe-1 was the only independent variable associated with the occurrence of HF. Slope/Vpe-1 was related with aortic regurgitation, HF history, and the interventricular septal thickness in a multiple stepwise regression analysis. CONCLUSION: New parameters from the relationship between the RR intervals and LV performances were associated with the occurrence of HF in AF patients with a normal systolic function. This finding suggests that these parameters may be related with the LV diastolic function.
Aortic Valve Insufficiency ; Atrial Fibrillation* ; Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed ; Heart Failure* ; Heart* ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Logistic Models ; Predictive Value of Tests