ASSESSMENT OF DIASTOLIC FUNCTION BY COMBINED TRNSMITRAL AND PULMONARY VENOUS FLOW VELOCITY CURVES

BACKGROUND: Several clinical studies have reported that 30% to 50% of patients with congestive heart failure have preserved left ventricular systolic function and isolated diastolic dysfunction. Detection of diastolic dysfunction is important factor in cardiac evaluation of hypertensives. MATERIAL AND METHODS: retrospective study carried out in Medicine department, SIMS, Shimoga for one year from Jan 2013 to Jan 2014. 50 patients who are hypertensive without any abnormality were studied general and systemic examination done, 2d echocardiography done in which transmitral flow velocity (E/A) and pulmonary venous A duration-mitral A duration (Delta d) is measured. RESULT: 32% of subjects were newly diagnosed hypertensives in our study. 56% of cases had normal diastolic function as defined by E/A ratio (>1), 18% of cases in our study with normal E/A ratio were found to have pseudonormal pattern of diastolic function. LVDD of 62% is found in this study. CONCLUSION: The abnormal diastolic function as assessed by abnormal E/A ratio was seen in 44% of cases. Abnormal Delta d was found in 18% of cases out of 56% who had normal E/A ratio. These cases are said to have 'pseudonormal' pattern of diastolic function. The current study demonstrated that the presence of LV diastolic dysfunction in hypertensive patients is actually greater than previously reported by studies that analyzed transmitral flow velocity curves alone. To avoid overlooking patients with diastolic dysfunction, the combined analysis of transmitral and pulmonary venous flow velocity curves is recommended.