Effect of Changes in Pulmonary Venous Flow Pattern by Preload Reduction on Distinguishing Pseudonormal Pattern from Normal

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The degree of diastolic dysfunction may explain the difference in clinical symptoms between patients with similar degrees of systolic dysfunction. Pseudonormal mitral filling pattern with increased left ventricular filling pressure is a transitional stage of diastolic dysfunction and is difficult to distinguish from normal. Preload is one of factors affecting the diastolic filling patterns and mitral flow patterns may be influenced by changes in preload in the absence of changes in the left ventricular pressure-volume curve. The changes in the mitral flow velocities caused by preload reduction may be useful in distinguishing patients with a pseudonormal pattern from those with normal. The aim of this study was to establish whether the effect of changes in pulmonary venous flow pattern by preload reduction may be useful in distinguishing pseudonormal pattern from normal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study included 40 patients (men 25, female 15, average age 51.0+/-11.2 years) underwent left side cardiac catheterization among patients with normal or pseudonormal patterns. All patients with pseudonormal group had increased LVEDPr (>15 mmHg). The Doppler mitral inflow & pulmonary venous flow parameters at baseline and during reduction of preload using Valsalva maneuver were recorded. RESULTS: 1) There were no difference in sex, diabetes mellitus, hypertension and lipid profiles between both groups. The left ventricular systolic function was better and mean age was younger in normal than pseudonormal group (p 1.0 during Valsalva maneuver in normal group (p<0.05). In pseudonormal group, E velocity was significantly decreased but A velocity was not significantly changed and the E/A ratio was <1.0 during Valsalva (p<0.05). Therefore the change revealed masked LV relaxation abnormality pattern. 3) S and D velocities of pulmonary venous flow were significantly decreased and S/D ratio was significantly increased in both groups (p<0.05). The % changes before and after Valsalva maneuver showed that S velocity was less decreased, D velocity was more decreased and S/D ratio was more significantly increased in pseudonormal than normal group (p<0.05). That revealed masked LV relaxation abnormality pattern. CONCLUSIONS: The Valsalva maneuver for preload reduction is a relatively simple, easily applicable, safe and reproducible method of acutely reducing venous return. The assessment of changes in pulmonary venous flow pattern by preload reduction may be helpful in distinguishing pseudonormal and normal diastolic function in addition to changes in mitral inflow pattern.

Diagnostic Significance of Pseudonormalization during Treadmill Exercise Test in Ischemic Heart Disease

BACKGROUND: The interpretation of electrocardiographic change in treadmill exercise test is difficult when the test is performed in patients with abnormal resting electrocardiography. In patients with primary nagative T wave, normalization of primary negative T wave(pseudonormalization)is not uncommon finding during treadmill exercise test. The mechanism of pseudonormalization is uncertain and the interpretation is difficult. Thus this study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic significance of pseudonormalization during treadmill exercise test. METHODS: 200 cases who showed primary negative T wave at rest were included in this study. The results were classified as positive, borderline positive, borderline negative, negative, non-diagnostic and pseudonormalization. RESULTS: Pseudonormalization during treadmill exercise test was oberved in 78(39%) of the 200 cases who had primary negative T wave at rest. Coronary angiography and left ventriculography were performed in 13(mean age 56+/-7 year, male vs. female 1:2.25) of 78 cases who showed pseudonormalization during exercise. They had no history of acute myocardial infarction and no abnormalities such as abnormal Q wave, left ventricular hypertrophy,bundle branch block,right ventricular hypertrophy and QRS widening above 0.1ms in resting electrocardiography. There were significant stenosis in only 3 cases; 2 cases in left anterior descending coronary artery and 1 case in right coronary artery. CONCLUSION: In treadmill exercise tests, pseudonormalization appears as non-specific finding for the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease becuase it is observed in either patients with or without coronary artery stenosis.