[Dynamic geometry of the left ventricle. Relaxation and elasticity indices]

A study was made of 34 patients with valve defects or arterial hypertension and a haemodynamic picture of left ventricle pressure or volume load. Echocardiography and haemodynamic investigated-established the size and mass of the left ventricle and also enabled its indices of contractility, relaxation and distensibility to be determined. The series was divided in accordance with the dynamic geometry of the left ventricle. In concentric hypertrophy, telediastolic rigidity increased in proportion to ventricular thickness and mass. In eccentric forms and ventricular dilatation, diastolic distensibility was reduced in cases with a high filling pressure. The relaxation values bore no relationship to distensibility and telediastolic compliance. The relaxation rate in protodiastole diminishes in proportion to functional depression of the left ventricle.