Detection and evaluation of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction in asymptomatic type 2 diabetic patients by conventional and tissue doppler imaging

Abstract

Background: Diabetic cardiomyopathy is characterised predominantly by diastolic dysfunction. While the traditional echocardiography provides only semiquantitative assessment of diastolic dysfunction, tissue Doppler imaging proved to be an effective technique for the quantification of subclinical diastolic dysfunction.Methods: The current cross-sectional study was conducted in out-patient department of General Medicine, Tagore Medical College and Hospital for a period of 6 months. The study population comprised of 100 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus including 39 male and 61 females. Echocardiography (using Siemens – Acuson NX3 Elite - system with TDI technology) was performed to all subjects in the left lateral position and 2D, M- mode, Doppler techniques were used. The early E wave corresponding to early ventricular filling and A wave which reflect a trial contraction were typically measured to assess the transmitral flow pattern. Systolic S' (Sa), early diastolic E (Ea) and the late diastolic velocities A' (Aa) were measured by tissue Doppler imaging.Results: The E/A ratio ranged from 0.5 to 2 and E/Ea ratio ranged from 1.59 to 14.67. Around 23 patients and 54 patients were abnormal by E/A and E/Ea ratios respectively. Around 29 patients showed grade II diastolic dysfunction by tissue Doppler imagingConclusions: Prompt diagnosis of diastolic dysfunction help us to identify high risk patients who are likely to be benefitted by early therapeutic intervention. Tissue Doppler imaging may be a better tool in the identification of diastolic dysfunction especially grade II in comparison with the conventional echocardiography.