Correlation between 2D Echocardiography and Multidetector Row CT for Early Detection of Diastolic Dysfunction in...

Abnormalities in diastolic function are considered early signs of diabetic cardiomyopathy. Two dimensional echocardiography with Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) has been used most commonly to evaluate diastolic left ventricular function.

The study was conducted to study the prevalence of diastolic dysfunction with the help of echocardiography and MDCT and their correlation in asymptomatic diabetic people.

A total of 15 diabetic, normotensive patients who had undergone 64-multidetector row CT and 2D echocardiography with TDI were included. The parameters used for assessment of diastolic dysfunction were early (E) and late (A) transmitral peak velocity (cm/s) and peak mitral septal tissue velocity (Ea; cm/s). Subsequently, LV filling pressures (E/Ea) were estimated.

Of the total 73.3% patients showed presence of diastolic dysfunction by both CT and echocardiography. Good correlations were observed between cardiac CT and 2D echocardiography for assessment of E (r = 0.992; p < 0.001), A (r=0.974, p <0.001), E/A (r = 0.979; p < 0.01), Ea (r = 0.977; p < 0.001), and E/Ea (r = 0.994; p < 0.001).

Doppler echocardiography is considered one of the best methods for assessment of LV diastolic dysfunction. In this study of cardiac-asymptomatic diabetic patients, MDCT and echocardiography showed good correlation for assessment of early diastolic dysfunction. Hence, cardiac CT can be an additional tool for assessing LV diastolic function.