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Triphasic mitral inflow documented by Doppler echocardiography and cardiac catheterization: a case study
Ikuo Misumi1, Kenji Ebihara, Ryuichiro Akahoshi
1Department of Cardiology, Kumamoto Saishunsou Hospital, Japan. misumi@saisyunsou1.hosp.go.jp
Insights
This case study highlights triphasic mitral inflow patterns in patients with diastolic dysfunction, revealing unique left ventricular pressure dynamics during impaired diastolic filling.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Diagnostics
- Physiology
Background:
- An 85-year-old woman with hypertension presented with chest pain.
- Echocardiography revealed left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, reduced systolic function (ejection fraction 40%), and mitral regurgitation.
Observation:
- Pulsed Doppler revealed triphasic mitral inflow velocity.
- Simultaneous LV and pulmonary artery wedge (PAW) pressures showed elevated mean PAW pressure with a prominent v wave.
- LV pressure exhibited early diastolic elevation, a mid-diastolic decrease, and late diastolic elevation exceeding PAW pressure.
Findings:
- The mid-diastolic decrease in LV pressure, despite filling, was attributed to abrupt inflow volume increase from impaired diastolic function.
- This pressure behavior deviates from conventional pressure-volume relations in diastolic dysfunction.
Implications:
- Triphasic mitral inflow is a characteristic indicator of diastolic dysfunction.
- Understanding these unique LV pressure dynamics is crucial for diagnosing and managing diastolic heart failure.
Abstract:
An 85-year-old woman with hypertension was referred to our hospital for the management of chest pain. Echocardiography showed left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy with impaired systolic function (ejection fraction, 40%) and mitral regurgitation. Pulsed Doppler echocardiography for checking mitral inflow showed triphasic mitral inflow velocity. Simultaneous recording of the LV and pulmonary artery wedge (PAW) pressures showed a high mean PAW pressure with a prominent v wave. The LV pressure showed a temporary elevation in early diastole; it was unusually decreased in mid-diastole, and finally was elevated to such an extent that it exceeded PAW pressure. In this patient, the mid-diastolic decrease in LV pressure, despite the presence of simultaneous LV filling flow, cannot be explained by conventional pressure-volume relation; rather it can be attributed to the abrupt increase in the inflow volume due to the impaired diastolic function. This case shows the characteristics of triphasic mitral inflow in patients with diastolic dysfunction.
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