Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of right ventricular diastolic function in patients with mitral regurgitation.
OBJECTIVE
The effect of left ventricular (LV) pressure overload on right ventricular (RV) diastolic function has been extensively studied. In contrast, no data are available concerning the influence of LV volume overload on RV diastolic function. Accordingly, RV diastolic function was studied in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) using Doppler echocardiography.


METHODS
RV diastolic indices were calculated, using pulsed Doppler echocardiography, in 30 patients (mean age 56.87 +/- 8.58 years) with severe MR, and in 30 healthy control subjects (mean age 56.67 +/- 8.52 years).


RESULTS
Compared with controls, MR patients had a significantly lower RV E/A ratio (0.85 +/- 0.12 versus 1.21 +/- 0.16, p <0.001), a significantly prolonged RV isovolumic relaxation time (70 +/- 20 versus 30 +/- 10 ms, p <0.001), a significantly prolonged deceleration time of the transtricuspid E wave (210 +/- 20 versus 140 +/- 10 ms, p <0.001), and a significantly greater right atrial filling fraction (38.58 +/- 4.59 versus 32.58 +/- 3.14%, p <0.001). There was no statistically significant correlation between RV diastolic indices and LV mass index and interventricular septum thickness.


CONCLUSIONS
RV diastolic function in patients with MR is impaired, reflecting prolonged relaxation and redistribution of RV filling into late diastole. Ventricular interdependence constitutes the most likely mechanism of this action.
Efthimiadis
Georgios K
GK
1st Department of Cardiology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, AHEPA Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece.
Parharidis
Georgios E
GE
Dourvas
Ioannis N
IN
Karvounis
Haralambos I
HI
Gemitzis
Konstantinos D
KD
Savvopoulos
Gregorios K
GK
Styliadis
Ioannis H
IH
Karoulas
Takis N
TN
Louridas
Georgios E
GE
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003971:Diastole; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler; D004562:Electrocardiography; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D008944:Mitral Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right