[Validity of estimating left ventricular relaxation and filling dynamics by Doppler trans-mitral flow]

To evaluate the validity of estimating left ventricular (LV) diastolic function using the Doppler transmitral flow profile, the relationship of transmitral flow to LV relaxation and LV filling dynamics was observed. A total of 54 subjects, including patients with ischemic heart disease, idiopathic cardiomyopathy, and normal persons were examined. LV filling dynamics were assessed in 20 of them who had no regional wall motion abnormality or irregular LV geometry. Peak velocity of rapid filling (R) and acceleration of rapid filling (AR) at the mitral annular level were measured as indices of transmitral flow during the rapid filling period. LV relaxation was evaluated according to the time constant of LV isovolumic pressure decline (T) using the method of Weiss et al. The correlation coefficient between R and T was -0.27 and that between AR and T was -0.16, indicating lack of correlations. The v-wave of pulmonary wedge pressure (PWPv) was measured as an index for left atrial driving pressure during the rapid LV filling period. Multiple regression analyses of R or AR as dependent variables and T and PWPv as independent variables revealed significant correlations (r = 0.66 and r = 0.59). The peak transit rate (PTR = R/TVI) and atrial transit fraction (ATF = TVIa/TVI) were determined from the time integral of the transmitral flow velocity (TVI = time velocity integral during diastole, TVIa = time velocity integral during the atrial contraction phase). Also, the peak filling rate (PFR) during the rapid filling and atrial filling fraction (AFF) were determined by left ventriculography.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)