Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular diastolic function in adolescents with diabetes mellitus

Doppler echocardiograms of the mitral valve were recorded along with electrocardiograms and respirations from 20 diabetics and 16 normal subjects, all aged 10 to 15 years. E and A areas (the components of the total velocity-time integral in the early passive period of ventricular filling [E] and the late active period of atrial emptying [A], respectively), the peak E and A velocities (cm/s) and the 1/3 area fraction (or the proportion of filling in the first 1/3 of diastole) were measured. Each of the following was significantly greater for the normal subjects versus diabetic patients: peak E (96 +/- 14 vs 81 +/- 14 cm/s, p less than 0.005), E/total area (0.74 +/- 0.04 vs 0.69 +/- 0.06, p less than 0.005) and peak E/A velocity ratio (2.38 +/- 0.55 vs 1.92 +/- 0.55, p less than 0.05). The mean heart rates and ages were not significantly different for the 2 groups. The remaining parameters (peak A velocity, A/total area, E/A area, and 1/3 area fraction) were also not significantly different for the 2 groups. This study is the first to demonstrate diastolic dysfunction in pediatric patients with diabetes and may indicate abnormalities of ventricular relaxation or compliance in diabetes mellitus.