Evaluation of doppler echocardiographic patterns of left ventricular filling in the patients with recent acute myocardial infarction

Lee, Sang Ho; Park, Yung Hoon; Son, Min Su; Heum, Baek Sun; Choi, Jai Woong; Ahn, Tae Hoon; Shin, Eak Kyun

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Diastolic function can be assessed by Doppler-derived left ventricular(LV) filling patterns. E/A ratio<1 and prolongation of isovolumic relaxation time(IVRT) are diagnostic of impaired relaxation of left ventricle during diastole. In early stage of acute myocardial infarction, myocardial stiffness can normalize the E/A ratio and mask the Doppler indexes of abnormal relaxation in patients with acute myocardial infarction. METHODS: LV filling patterns were studied with Doppler echocardiography in 10 healthy subjects and 27 patients with recent acute myocardial infarction. Cardiac catherterization was performed in the 11+/-2 days after onset of acute myocardial infarction and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure(LVEDP) and myocardial stiffiness index(MSI) were studied. RESULTS: In patients with acute myocardial infarction, IVRT was significantly prolonged ; E/A ratio and deceleration time were decreased but not significantly different from those of normal subjects. In the patient's group of E/A>1,IVRT and atrial filling fraction(AFF) were significantly shortened, and LVEDP was significantly increased, compared to those of the patient's group of E/A<1. But ejection fraction was similar in both groups. In the patients with acute myocardial infarction, E/A ratio and LVEDP showed good correlation(r=0.64, p<0.05). MSI was increased in the patient's group of E/A>1 and also was well correlated with LVEDP(r=0.8, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Thus we conclude that normal of increased E/A ratio in recent acute myocardial infarction may reflect increased LVEDP due to increased myocardial stiffness.