Aging and diastolic lv function[ ECHO/doppler study]

ABSTRACT

Echo-doppler parameters of left ventricular diastole were examined in 102 healthy subjects aged 1 month to 78 years who were clinically free and had normal M-Mode and 2 D echo. Early diastolic filling parameters included [E amplitude. E wave acceleration time and decerrelation time and time velocity integral of E wave [TIV] E. Late filling parameters included [A amplutide, E/A ratio and time velocity integral of A wave [TIV] A. The data obtained indicated [1] inital increase in the early filling parameters up to the second decade with maximum uprise rate during infancy [P<0.001]. This inital increase was followed by significant decrease afterwards to the elderly life [2] There was inital reduction of the late filling parameters of low statistical significance up to the second decade followed by a significant increase in the elderly subjects [P<0.001]. E/A ratio showed an inital increase followed by progressive reduction with aging [P<0.001]. [3] Comparison of age to [E amplitude, A amplitude and E/A ratio] revealed a linear relation of age to E amplitude [r=-0.70, P<0.001], to A amplitude [r=0.48, p<0.01] and to E/A ratio [r=-0.70. P<0.001]. In summary, Doppler LV diastolic parameter are altered significantly by aging. Early diastolic filling and ventricular inflow increased up to the 2nd decade, possibly due to an associated increase in the LV cavity, then progressively decreased with an associated increased late filling to compensate for decreased ventricular compliance. Aging is an independent determinate of most of the indices of LV diastolic flow and its effect should be taken into consideration for proper definition of the normal limit of the diastolic Doppler indices