Analysis of dual-Doppler simultaneous technique and asynchronous technique in assessing left ventricular diastolic function in patients with atrial fibrillation

Abstract

Objective To evaluate the value of dual-Doppler imaging technology (referred to as dual-Doppler modality for short) in assessing left ventricular diastolic function in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and normal left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Methods A total of 40 patients with AF and normal LVEF were enrolled as the AF group, and 40 healthy volunteers were composed of the control group. ①Peak early diastolic transmitral flow velocity (E) and tissue Doppler lateral (L) mitral annular early diastolic velocity (e′) were measured simultaneously in the particular cardiac cycle by dual-Doppler modality. ②Peak early diastolic transmitral flow velocity (E) and tissue Doppler septal (S) mitral annular early diastolic velocity (e′) were measured simultaneously in the particular cardiac cycle. ③Peak early diastolic transmitral flow velocity (E) and color M-mode Doppler flow propagation velocity (Vp) were measured simultaneously in the particular cardiac cycle. Then E/e′(L), E/e′(S) and E/Vp were calculated, respectively. Results Compared to the control group, E/e′(L), E/ e′(S)and E/Vp were all higher in AF group (P<0.05). Bland-Altman showed that E/e′(L), E/ e′(S)and E/Vp measured by the dual-Doppler modality had better reproducibility and higher intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) than the conventional Doppler modality. Conclusions The dual-Doppler modality is valuable for evaluating left ventricular diastolic function in patients with AF and has better reproducibility and more accurate results than the conventional Doppler modality. Key words: Echocardiography, Doppler; Atrial fibrillation; Ventricular function, left; Dual-Doppler technology