Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of right ventricular diastolic function in isolated valvular aortic stenosis.
OBJECTIVE
Left ventricular diastolic function (LVDF) in patients with aortic stenosis (AS) has been adequately studied, in contrast to right ventricular diastolic function (RVDF). In this study, RVDF in patients with AS was evaluated using pulsed-wave Doppler echocardiography.


METHODS
The study population comprised 20 patients with isolated AS (mean age 53.7 +/- 6.5 years) and 20 healthy volunteers (control group, mean age 52.6 +/- 8.8 years). The diastolic indices of right ventricular (RV) function were calculated using transtricuspid and transpulmonary Doppler flow velocities. Statistical analysis was performed using Student's t-test. There was no statistically significant difference between patients and controls with regard to age, height, bodyweight, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, end-diastolic and end-systolic left ventricular (LV) diameter, LV fractional shortening and RV end-diastolic diameter.


RESULTS
RV diastolic indices in patients (versus controls) were as follows: E/A ratio of transtricuspid flow waves was significantly lower (0.88 +/- 0.20 versus 1.25 +/- 0.33, p < 0.001); deceleration time of E wave was significantly longer (184 +/- 3 versus 127 +/- 3 ms, p < 0.001); atrial filling fraction was significantly augmented (43.1 +/- 7.7 versus 33.6 +/- 7.6%, p < 0.001); and isovolumic relaxation time was significantly prolonged (116 +/- 73 versus 31 +/- 15 ms, p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant correlation between diastolic indices and interventricular septum thickness and LV mass index.


CONCLUSIONS
RVDF in AS patients is impaired, reflecting abnormal relaxation.
1st Department of Cardiology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA Hospital, Greece.
G K
GK
Efthimiadis
G E
GE
Parharidis
K D
KD
Gemitzis
I G
IG
Nouskas
H I
HI
Karvounis
I K
IK
Styliadis
G E
GE
Louridas
D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003971:Diastole; D018619:Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D014261:Tricuspid Valve / Q000503:physiopathology; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right / Q000502:physiology*