[Ventricular rigidity in mitral stenosis measured by an echocardiographic and hemodynamic method]

Ten patients with mitral stenosis underwent right and left heart catheterization. In order to assess the diastolic properties of these ventricles an hemodynamic-echocardiografic techniques was employed. Left ventricular pressure and an echocardiogram of the body of the left ventricle were simultaneously registered. Ventricular volume was determined using the minor axis (T) of the left ventricle measured form the echogram and assuming the long axis (L) from the L to T relationship observed in the left cineventriculography. Using a microcromputer, a smoothed volume-time curve was obtained, together with its first derivative and a pressure-volume loop. The exponential portion of the diastolic loop was used to obtain a felt ventricular stiffness index at zero volume. End diastolic volume and ejection fraction were normals. Left ventricular filling was impaired but ventricular stiffness was found in the normal range. It is concluded that the proposed method permits the simultaneous obtention of pressure volume data. The processing of complex data can be achieved with a pocket microcomputer. There is no evidence of a left ventricular compliance defect in mitral stenosis.