Segmental early relaxation phenomenon as determined by tissue Doppler imaging
Haibin Zhang1, Yan Song, Yongsheng Zhu
1Department of Physiology, Xijing Hospital, Fourth Military Medical Unviersity, Xi'an, China. fmmuzhanghaibin@hotmail.com
Echocardiography (Mount Kisco, N.Y.)
|March 1, 2008
Summary
A novel early diastolic peak velocity in the isovolumic relaxation period, termed segmental early relaxation phenomenon (SERP), was identified. SERP segments show distinct characteristics in coronary heart disease patients, challenging traditional diastolic filling assumptions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Echocardiography
- Myocardial mechanics
Background:
- The early diastolic peak velocity of left ventricular (LV) wall segments is typically associated with the rapid filling phase.
- A newly identified segmental early relaxation phenomenon (SERP) exhibits an early diastolic peak velocity during the isovolumic relaxation (IVR) period.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics of SERP segments using tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) echocardiography.
- To understand the relationship between SERP and coronary heart disease (CHD).
Main Methods:
- TDI echocardiography was performed on 119 patients with suspected CHD and 60 normal subjects.
- Segmental early diastolic velocity patterns were classified into normal pattern (NP), postsystolic shortening (PSS), and SERP.
Main Results:
- SERP segments demonstrated a higher IVR velocity and lower early diastolic peak velocity compared to other segments.
- Segmental early diastolic velocity patterns were significantly associated with coronary stenosis, wall motion score, and LV wall location.
Conclusions:
- SERP is more common in arteries with milder stenosis and may coexist with PSS in areas of more severe stenosis.
- A reduced early diastolic peak velocity in SERP segments does not definitively indicate impaired myocardial relaxation.
