Effect of ageing on the relationship between early diastolic left ventricular function and mitral valve motion

The relationships between age and diastolic left ventricular function, and age and mitral valve motion were studied.

The maximum velocity of circumferential fibre lengthening (negative peak Vcf) of left ventricular function and mitral valve motions, such as mitral valve E and A wave amplitude, D-E and E-F slopes, and their relationships were assessed.

Twenty young, healthy persons (10 males and 10 females) from 20 to 47 years old (mean 34.5), and 26 older healthy subjects (five males and 21 females) from 62 to 94 years old (mean 80.0) were studied.

M-mode echocardiography of left ventricular function and mitral valve motion were recorded and digitized for the assessment.

Age showed a significant (P = 0.0001) correlation with negative peak Vcf (r = -0.62), with E wave amplitude (r = -0.83), with D-E slope (r = -0.71) and with E-F slope (r = -0.83). Negative peak Vcf was correlated with E wave amplitude (r = 0.51, P = 0.0007), with D-E slope (r = 0.31, P = 0.058), with E-F slope (r = 0.53, P = 0.0005). Its relations with mitral valve A wave amplitude was r = -0.30, P = 0.17 in the elderly group and r = 0.003, P = 0.99 in the younger group. A significant (P < 0.001) positive, linear correlation was observed between age and mitral A/E ratio (r = 0.82).

The easily measurable mitral valve E-F slope and E wave amplitude can be used to assess early diastolic left ventricular function in ageing. Left atrial contraction appears to play a more important role in the elderly, compensating for the decline in early diastolic left ventricular function.