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Diastolic aortic root motion in left ventricular hypertrophy
Chest
|April 1, 1981
Summary
Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) alters aortic root motion, reducing the atrial emptying index (AEI). This echocardiographic finding offers a rapid method for assessing altered left ventricular filling in patients with LVH.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Echocardiography
- Physiology
Background:
- Aortic root motion is linked to left atrial function.
- Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) can affect diastolic filling patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if LVH alters posterior aortic root motion.
- To assess the utility of the atrial emptying index (AEI) in identifying altered diastolic filling in LVH.
Main Methods:
- Echocardiograms of 60 patients with LVH (due to aortic stenosis, hypertrophic subaortic stenosis, hypertension) were compared to 36 normal subjects.
- Analyzed posterior aortic root motion during diastole.
- Calculated the atrial emptying index (AEI).
Main Results:
- Patients with LVH showed attenuated, less abrupt diastolic posterior aortic root motion.
- The AEI was significantly reduced in patients with LVH (p < 0.001).
- AEI did not differentiate severity of hypertrophy.
Conclusions:
- Altered posterior aortic root motion is characteristic of LVH.
- The AEI is a valuable, visually assessed index for identifying altered left ventricular filling in LVH.
- AEI provides a rapid qualitative assessment of diastolic function.