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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
08:17
Murine Echocardiography of Left Atrium, Aorta, and Pulmonary Artery
Published on: February 20, 2017
Restrictive left ventricular filling pattern does not result from increased left atrial pressure alone.
Satoshi Masutani1, William C Little, Hiroshi Hasegawa
1Cardiology Section, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Blvd, Winston-Salem, NC 27157-1045, USA.
Circulation
|March 12, 2008
Summary
The restrictive filling pattern in heart failure (HF) is not solely due to elevated left atrial (LA) pressure. It is distinguished by specific changes in left ventricular (LV) filling dynamics, indicating underlying diastolic dysfunction.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Physiology
Background:
- Restrictive filling pattern in severe heart failure (HF) may stem from diastolic dysfunction or elevated left atrial (LA) pressure.
- Distinguishing between these causes is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate whether the left ventricular (LV) restrictive filling pattern is solely caused by elevated LA pressure.
Main Methods:
- Conscious dogs were instrumented to measure LA pressure, LV pressure, and LV diameters.
- LV filling dynamics were assessed in two conditions with similar LA pressure elevations: volume loading in normal dogs and pacing-induced HF with restrictive filling.
Main Results:
- Both volume loading and HF increased peak early filling rate (E).
- However, HF showed decreased and delayed peak mitral annular velocity (E') and a shorter E deceleration time, unlike volume loading.
- HF also exhibited increased LV chamber stiffness and slow relaxation.
Conclusions:
- The restrictive filling pattern in HF is characterized by reduced and delayed E' and shortened E deceleration time.
- These findings reflect slow relaxation and increased LV stiffness, differentiating it from simple LV overfilling.
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