ABSTRACT
Several echocardiographic indices applied to evaluate LV function may be not reliable when LV contraction is asymmetrical and require good image quality. Determination of the left ventricular atrioventricular plane displacement [AVPD] has several advantages over traditional methods for the evaluation of left ventricular function. This study aimed to evaluate the left ventricular atrioventricular plane displacement as a new index for assessment of left ventricular systolic function, especially in patients with asymmetrical contraction and to correlate these methods with other echocardiographic-derived LV systolic function indices. This study included 60 patients divided into the following groups: Group A included 20 healthy persons as a control group, 16 males and 4 females with a mean age of 38 +/- 2 9.7 years; group B included 20 patients with ischemic heart disease, 17 males and 3 females with a mean age of 53 +/- 6.9 years and group C included 20 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, 17 males and 3 females with a mean age of 48 +/- 13-20 years. Multip1e echocardiograms were recorded and selected on the basis of clarity. Measurements included left ventricular AVPD, end diastolic diameter [EDD], end systolic diameter [ESD], FS and EF by Teickholtz and Simpson methods. The study found that systolic atrioventricular plane displacement [AVPD] is an effective index for assessment of both segmental and global left ventricular systolic function and that an AVPD > 10 mm correlates with normal left ventricular systolic function [EF > 50%]. So, the AVPD is a rapid, simple, valuable and noninvasive echocardiographic method for evaluation of left ventricular systolic function