Assessment of Left Ventricular Diastolic Pressures with Pulmonary Venous Flow and Transmitral Inflow by Doppler Echocardiography

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Doppler variable of mitral inflow have been used to assess left ventricular siastolic function indirectly. Pulmonary venous flow(PVF) variables could supplement mitral inflow in the estimation of left ventricular diastolic function. The purpose of this study are to assess the feasibility of PVF measurement by using transthoracic pulsed wave Doppler echocardiogram and to estimate the LV end-diastolic pressure with PVF parameters. METHODS: Fifty six patients underwent transthoracic pulsed wave Doppler echocardiagraphy (HP Sonos 1500) within 2 hours before left heart catheterization for the measurement of left ventricular pressure. RESULTS: 1) Measurement of transthoracic PVF was feasible in 50 patients(89.3%). 2) The difference between the duration of pulmonary venous reversal flow and mitral A wave(D difference, delta D) was strongly correlated with left ventricular end diastolic pressure(r=0.73, p or =12mmHg(sensitivity 90.6%, specificity 50.0%). CONCLUSION: PVF could be assessed with transthoracic Doppler ultrasound with good feasibility. PVF may be an important parameter in the evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function. PVF reveral duration exceeding that of mitral A wave would be a marker of elevated left ventricular end diastolic pressure(> or =12mmHg). Plumonary venous flow . Transmitral inflow . Left ventricular end diastolic pressure. Transthorasic doppler echocardiography.