Pulsed Doppler echocardiographic study of left ventricular diastolic function in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy.

Dilated cardiomyopathy is basically regarded as a disease of left ventricular systolic dysfunction. There are only a few studies evaluating diastolic function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy. To assess the LV diastolic function, 25 patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and 20 age and sex matched normal subjects were studied with transmitral spectral tracings derived from pulsed Doppler echocardiography. All cardiomyopathy patients were in New York Heart Association class III to IV with dilated left ventricles and reduced systolic function (mean ejection fraction of 36.6 +/- 6.7 Vs 65 +/- 6 in normal subjects, p < 0.001). Patients with cardiomyopathy demonstrated an increased ratio of early to late diastolic velocity (E/A) (1.89 +/- 0.59 Vs 1.50 +/- 0.27 m/sec, p < 0.05), short deceleration time (E-E/2) (57.05 +/- 13.36 Vs 70.20 +/- 16.56 msec, p < 0.01) and short isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) (53.5 +/- 22.7 Vs 72 +/- 12 msec, p < 0.05) as compared to normal subjects. The early filling fraction (EFF) was higher (0.71 +/- 0.11 Vs 0.66 +/- 0.06, p < 0.05) and atrial filling fraction (AFF) was lower (0.28 +/- 0.11 Vs 0.33 +/- 0.06, p < 0.05) in cardiomyopathy patients than in normal subjects. Our observations in a select group of dilated cardiomyopathy patients with advanced disease demonstrate a restrictive pattern on pulsed Doppler echocardiography.

Comparison of single breath and steady state methods for the measurement of pulmonary diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide in normal subjects, patients with bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive airway disease.

The results of pulmonary diffusing capacity (DLCO) measurements by the steady state (DLCOss) and single breath (DLCOsb) methods were compared in 50 normal subjects (Group A), 50 patients with bronchial asthma (Group B) and 50 patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COAD) (Group C). A significant correlation was observed between DLCOss and DLCOsb in all the three groups of subjects. This relationship was stronger in Groups A and B as compared to Group C. Both DLCOsb and DLCOss were significantly correlated to parameters of air-flow obstruction. Both measurements of DLCO appear valid in normal subjects and in patients with bronchial asthma. In patients with COAD, on the other hand, DLCOsb may be valid measurement, since it is less likely to be influenced by airways obstruction.