661 Impact of aging of left ventricular longitudinal function in a healthy reference population: a pulsed tissue Doppler study

Abstract

Conclusions: We found significant correlations between EF by ERNA and all newer indexes of LV systolic function based on TVI and AVPD. However, the mea- surement of peak systolic TV in the basal septum correlated best with EF by ERNA, and may be a useful simple tool in the evaluation of CHF patients. Purpose: Although pulsed Tissue Doppler (TD) of left ventricular (LV) mitral an- nulus can be used to quantify global LV longitudinal function and provides infor- mation on both systolic and diastolic function,, little is known about normal values and determinants of mitral annular TD. In this study we assessed demographic and echecardiographic correlates of TD-derived longitudinal myocardial function in a healthy reference population. Methods: Standard echocardiographic examination and pulsed TD of the left ventricle were performed in 131 healthy, normoweight, normotensive subjects (M/F=87/44). TD was recorded by placing the sample volume at the level of LV lateral mitral annulus. Myocardial systolic and diastolic velocities (Em, Am. Em/Am ratio) and myocardial time intervals (relaxation time (RTm), pre-contraction and contraction time) were measured. The ratio between transmitral Doppler E peak velocity and TD-derived Em (E/Em ratio) was calculated as an index of LV filling pressure. Blood pressure (BP), heart rate and anthropometric measurements were also taken, and body mass index computed. Results: The age of the study population was 33-- 14 years (range = 12 - 71 years), body mass index was 23±3 kg/m 2, blood pressure = 117±12/73±8 mmHg, heart rate = 72±11.5 bpm. LV ejection fraction was 62±9% and transmitral E/A ratio 1.4--0.4. No sex-specific significant difference of TD measurements was found. By dividing the population according to age, subjects >-50 years evidenced lower Era, Em/Am and Sm (all p 50 years and 5.54-1.7 <50 years (p<0.005). In the overall population ejection fraction was related positively with Em (r = 0.19) and negatively with RTm (r = -0.18) (both p<0.05). Significant relations of age were observed with Em (r = -0.64, p<0.0001), Em/Am ratio (r = -0.64, p<0.0001), RTm (r = 0.17, p<O.05) and Sm (r = -0.31, p<O.O001). Aging was also associated to a higher E/Em ratio (r = 0.40, p<0.0001). All these associations remained significant even after adjusting for heart rate and body mass index.