Coronary artery disease risk factors in patients with diastolic dysfunction

Diastolic dysfunction (DD) is a common entity associated with advanced age and hypertension, often present in patients with ischemic heart disease. The correlation of DD and coronary artery disease (CAD) in asymptomatic young patients is not known. We sought to determine the prevalence of CAD risk factors in asymptomatic patients with DD. We present data from a retrospective chart review of CAD risk factors in asymptomatic patients diagnosed with DD during an echocardiograph examination. We screened all patients that had an echocardiographic examination at Lenox Hill Hospital from January 2004 until July 2007. DD was diagnosed if an impaired filling pattern with an E/A ratio less than one was noted on the mitral inflow pulse wave doppler. One-hundred and one patients met study criteria. Data regarding the presence of the following risk factors was collected: sex, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, smoking, diabetes, peripheral artery disease, and family history of CAD. The mean age of patients was 48 +/- 6; 50% were male. The most prevalent CAD risk factor in this group of patients with DD was hypertension (53%), followed by hyperlipidemia (31%) and diabetes (22%). These data can help identify those patients who are asymptomatic in terms of DD who may be at risk for the condition. These patients should undergo an echocardiograph examination in order to rule out presence of DD, even if symptoms are not present.