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Updated: Sep 25, 2026

Pulsed Wave Doppler Assessment of Diastolic Dysfunction in the ZSF-1 Rat Model of Pulmonary Hypertension Due to Left Heart Disease
Published on: May 22, 2026
Ventricular function abnormalities in active rheumatoid arthritis: a Doppler echocardiographic study
Funda Levendoglu1, Ahmet Temizhan, Hatice Ugurlu
1Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Meram Medical School of Selcuk University, Meram-Konya, Turkey. Levendogluf@hotmail.com
Objective:
The aim of the present study was to evaluate cardiac involvement in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
Methods:
Forty patients with active RA participated. All were submitted to standard Doppler echocardiography and myocardial performance index (MPI) grading.
Results:
There were left and right ventricular diastolic function abnormalities in RA patients. Left ventricular MPI was also significantly higher than in controls ( P<0.05). A relationship was found between left ventricular early diastolic (E)/atrial (A) flow velocities (E/A ratio), isovolumic relaxation time (IRT), and disease duration ( r=-0.47 and P=0.002, r=0.618 and P=0.000, respectively).
Conclusion:
Diastolic function was impaired in both ventricles in patients with active RA. There was a direct relationship between some of the parameters of left ventricular diastolic function and disease duration as well. These findings suggest a subclinical myocardial involvement in RA patients.
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Assessment of apical radial pulse
The A-R pulse assessment involves simultaneous evaluation of the apical and radial pulses. When the apical and radial pulse rates vary, this assessment helps identify a pulse deficit.
Pre-Procedural Preparation
Assessing Blood pressure using a doppler ultrasound
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Doppler Ultrasound Blood Pressure Assessment:
Preparation of Equipment:

