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Isovolumic relaxation flow in patients with left bundle branch block and normal coronary arteriogram
Z Gölbaşi1, H Atasever, N Akyürek
1Department of Cardiology, Ankara Numune Hospital, Ankara, Turkey.
Insights
Patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB) and normal coronary arteries exhibit abnormal isovolumic relaxation flow. This finding suggests impaired left ventricular relaxation in LBBB patients, potentially linked to septal motion abnormalities.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Echocardiography
- Cardiac Physiology
Background:
- Left bundle branch block (LBBB) can affect left ventricular function.
- Understanding diastolic dysfunction in LBBB is crucial for patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the presence and characteristics of isovolumic relaxation flow in patients with LBBB and normal coronary arteries.
- To compare these findings with healthy individuals.
Main Methods:
- Pulsed Doppler echocardiography was used to examine 24 patients with LBBB and normal coronary arteriogram.
- A control group of 20 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects was included for comparison.
Main Results:
- All 24 LBBB patients demonstrated isovolumic relaxation flow, significantly more than the 4 healthy subjects (p < 0.05).
- Peak velocity of this flow ranged from 20-42 cm/s.
- Left ventricular systolic function was normal in 17 LBBB patients and reduced in the remaining.
Conclusions:
- Isovolumic relaxation flow is present in most patients with LBBB and normal coronary arteries.
- This phenomenon may be associated with abnormal septal motion, indicating impaired left ventricular relaxation.
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to clarify the presence of isovolumic relaxation flow in patients with left bundle branch block and normal coronary arteriogram. Twenty-four patients with left bundle branch block and normal coronary arteriogram were examined by pulsed Doppler echocardiography and were compared with 20 age- and gender-matched healthy subjects. Impaired left ventricular relaxation was found in patients with LBBB. All 24 study patients showed isovolumic relaxation flow, but only 4 healthy subjects had isovolumic relaxation flow (p < 0.05). Peak velocity of the isovolumic relaxation flow ranged from 20-42 cm/s. In the study group, left ventricular systolic function was normal in 17 patients, and reduced in the remaining patients. At the end of this study, the presence of isovolumic relaxation flow which may be due to an abnormal septal motion was found in patients with left bundle branch block and normal coronary arteriogram.