title: Quantitative and pattern analyses of continuous-wave Doppler-derived pulmonary regurgitant flow velocity for the diagnosis of constrictive pericarditis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many echocardiographic features of constrictive pericarditis (CP) have been reported, but each alone has a limitation either in sensitivity or in specificity. Continuous-wave Doppler-derived flow velocity of pulmonary regurgitation can reflect the diastolic right ventricular pressure pattern characteristic of CP and be useful for its detection.
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifteen patients with CP, 18 patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy, and 20 normal subjects were studied retrospectively. Using continuous-wave Doppler echocardiography, pulmonary regurgitation velocities were measured at the early diastolic peak (VMAx), mid-diastolic inflection point (VIFL), and late diastolic minimal point (VMIN).
  
  
  RESULTS
  VIFL, VIFL/VMAx, VMIN, and VMIN/VMAx were significantly lower in the CP group compared with the restrictive cardiomyopathy and normal groups. Prevalence rates of patients with early mid-diastolic inflection, VIFL/VMAx < 0.5, VMIN < 50 cm/sec, and VMIN/VMAx < 0.33 were significantly greater in the CP group compared with the other groups. Sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of CP were 93% and 74%, respectively, for the presence of early mid-diastolic inflection, 73% and 100% for VIFL/VMAx < 0.5, 73% and 97% for VMIN < 50 cm/sec, and 93% and 92% for VMIN/VMAx < 0.33.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The quantitative and pattern analyses of continuous-wave Doppler-derived pulmonary regurgitation velocity could enhance the accuracy of echocardiographic detection of CP.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan; Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Sanae
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaga
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan. Electronic address: mikami@hs.hokudai.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Taisei
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mikami
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuka
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takamatsu
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Ayumu
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Abe
authors.affiliation: Graduate School of Health Sciences, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Kazunori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.affiliation: Division of Laboratory and Transfusion Medicine, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Masahiro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakabachi
authors.affiliation: Division of Laboratory and Transfusion Medicine, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hisao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nishino
authors.affiliation: Division of Laboratory and Transfusion Medicine, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinobu
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yokoyama
authors.affiliation: Division of Laboratory and Transfusion Medicine, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Mutsumi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nishida
authors.affiliation: Division of Laboratory and Transfusion Medicine, Hokkaido University Hospital, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Chikara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Shimizu
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Iwano
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Satoshi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yamada
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tsutsui
mesh_terms: D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods*; D010494:Pericarditis, Constrictive / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011652:Pulmonary Circulation; D011665:Pulmonary Valve Insufficiency / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
keywords: Constrictive pericarditis; Continuous-wave Doppler; Pulmonary regurgitation; Restrictive cardiomyopathy