Pulmonary Venous Flow Pattern Research Articles

Added value of the pulmonary vein pulsatility index and its correlation to neonatal umbilical artery pH in fetal growth restrictions: a Vietnamese matched cohort study

BackgroundIn clinical obstetrics, many guidelines recommended the use of Doppler fetal ductus venosus blood flow to monitor and to manage fetal growth restriction (FGR). The ductus venosus and the pulmonary venous flow pattern of fetuses are similar. Umbilical artery pH (UA pH) is essential in identifying adverse pregnancy outcomes, particularly in fetal growth restriction cases. Nevertheless, the literature indicates that the relationship between pulmonary vein pulsatility index (PVPI) and UA pH in FGR cases has not been well investigated. This study aimed to identify the alteration in PVPI in FGR cases and evaluate the correlation between PVPI and UA pH in FGR newborns.MethodsThis matched cohort study of singleton pregnancies from 28+ 0 to 40+ 0 weeks of gestation without congenital abnormalities included 135 cases of FGR (disease group) and 135 cases of normal growth (control group). The PVPI was measured at the proximal segment of the right or left pulmonary vein, approximately 5 mm from the left atrium wall. The umbilical artery pulsatility index (UAPI) was measured on the free umbilical cord. An elective cesarean section or labor induction are both options for ending the pregnancy, depending on the condition of the mother or fetus. Umbilical artery blood samples were collected within 5 min of delivery for UA pH measurement. SPSS version 20 and Medcalc version 20.1 were used for data analysis.ResultsFGR cases had a significantly higher mean fetal PVPI than the control group (1.16 ± 0.26 vs. 0.84 ± 0.16; p < 0.01), and PVPI and UAPI were positively correlated (r = 0.63; p < 0.001). PVPI and UA pH were negatively correlated in FGR patients, with r = -0.68; p < 0.001. The PVPI value on the 95th percentile had a prognostic value of UA pH < 7.20 with a sensitivity of 88.2%, specificity of 66.3%, positive predictive value of 46.9%, and negative predictive value of 94.3%.ConclusionsThere was a statistically significant difference in PVPI values in FGR cases compared to the normal growth group, a positive correlation between PVPI and UAPI, and a negative correlation between PVPI and UA pH. PVPI might have a prognostic meaning in predicting UA pH at birth.

Prognostic value of mitral valve haemodynamic parameters obtained by intraprocedural echocardiography in transcatheter edge-to-edge repair.

To assess whether intraprocedural transesophageal echocardiographic (TEE)-derived haemodynamic parameters predict outcomes in patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) for mitral regurgitation (MR). This is a single-centre, retrospective analysis encompassing 458 (IQR, 104-1035) days of follow-up after 926 consecutive patients [481 (52%) with functional MR] referred to an isolated mitral TEER between 2013 and 2020. Cases without actual clip deployment, or in whom prior mitral procedures had taken place, were excluded. The primary outcome was the combined rate of all-cause mortality or heart failure (HF) hospitalizations. Secondary endpoints included single components of the primary outcome, as well as MR severity at one month and one year following the procedure. A multivariable analysis identified two intraprocedural echocardiographic observations made after clip deployment as independent predictors of the primary outcome: an above mild MR (HR for whole study period 1.49, 95% CI 1.05-2.13, P = 0.026) and a 100% or more increase from baseline in the transmitral mean pressure gradient (TMPG) (HR for whole study period 1.32, 95% CI 1.01-1.72, P = 0.039). Also, MR grade of above mild and the absence of a normal pulmonary venous flow pattern (PVFP) bilaterally were associated with an increased risk for HF hospitalizations and greater-than-mild 1-month MR. No prognostic role was demonstrated for the change in MR severity, the absolute TMPG, or the mere improvement in PVFP. Immediate post-TEER MR severity and the relative change in TMPG are predictive of clinical and echocardiographic outcomes following the procedure.

The Prognostic Value of Pulmonary Venous Flow Reversal in Patients with Significant Degenerative Mitral Regurgitation.

Background: The prognostic significance of pulmonary venous (PV) flow reversal in degenerative mitral regurgitation (dMR) is not well-established. Objective: We aimed to assess whether reversed PV flow is associated with adverse outcomes in patients with significant dMR. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive patients referred to a tertiary center for evaluation of dMR of greater than moderate degree, who had normal sinus rhythm, had a left ventricular ejection fraction of above 60%, and did not suffer from any other major valvular disorders. The primary outcome was the combined rate of all-cause mortality, mitral intervention, or new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) at 5 years following index echocardiogram. Secondary outcomes included individual components of the primary outcome. Results: Overall, 135 patients (median age 68 (IQR, 58-74) years; 93 (68.9%) males; 89 (65.9%) with severe MR) met the inclusion criteria and were followed for 115.2 (IQR, 60.0-155.0) months. Patients with a reversed PV flow pattern (PVFP) (n = 34) more often presented with severe MR compared to those with a normal (n = 49) and non-reversed PVFP (n = 101) (RR = 2.03 and 1.59, respectively, all p < 0.001). At 5 years, they experienced the highest cumulative incidence of the primary outcome (80.2% vs. 59.2% and 67.3%, p = 0.008 and 0.018, respectively). Furthermore, a reversed PVFP was independently associated with a higher risk of the primary outcome compared to normal PVFP (HR 2.53, 95% CI 1.21-5.31, p = 0.011) and non-reversed PVFP (HR 2.14, 95% CI 1.12-4.10, p = 0.022). Conclusion: PV flow reversal is associated with a worse 5-year composite of mortality, mitral intervention, or AF in patients with significant dMR.

Alteration of Pulmonary Venous Flow Doppler Post Transcatheter Closure of Atrial Septal Defect

Background: Atrial septal defect is a common congenital heart anomaly results in hemodynamically significant right ventriclular volume overload and an increase in the pulmonary venous flow.&#x0D; Aim: Evaluate changes of pulmonary venous flow parameters after transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defect.&#x0D; Patients and Methods: 50 patients with atrial septal defect aged from 3.5 to 31 years were included in the study. Pulmonary venous flow Doppler and right ventricular function were evaluated before and after successful transcatheter closure by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography.&#x0D; Results: The defect size ranged from 15 to 37mm with a mean (24.96 ±7.52), Normal systolic and diastolic waves of pulmonary venous flow Doppler were replaced by a continuous antegrade wave (mean 60±13.6 cm/s) in all atrial septal defect patients. Post-closure, the normal pulmonary venous flow pattern was regained, two separate waves, with a significant decrease in mean peak Systolic wave velocity (44.54±8.12 cm/sec vs 69.61±12.37, P=0.000), the mean peak Diastolic Wave velocity (55.85±9.81 cm/sec vs 72.65±10.38, P=0.000) and a significant increase in the mean peak atrial reversal wave velocity (28.75±4.63cm/sec vs 21.18±3.64, P=0.000). In multivariate regression analysis, significant predictors of haemodynamic significant ASD were ASD size,(odds ratio 1.508, P=0.007, 95% CI 1.153,2.671) and ASD/IAS ratio (odds ratio 2.313, P=0.001, 95% CI 1.064,3.104).&#x0D; Conclusions: Atrial septal defect patients have characteristic pulmonary venous flow pattern: continuous antegrade wave with systolic predominance and decrease in atrial reversal wave, which return to normal after closure. These changes could be helpful echocardiographic tool in prediction of successful closure of the defect.

TCT-334 Pulmonary Venous Flow Pattern as a Predictor of Outcomes in Patients With Secondary Mitral Regurgitation: The COAPT Trial

TCT-334 Pulmonary Venous Flow Pattern as a Predictor of Outcomes in Patients With Secondary Mitral Regurgitation: The COAPT Trial

Treatment of secondary mitral regurgitation by transcatheter edge-to-edge repair using MitraClip.

Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) is becoming the standard invasive treatment for ventricular functional mitral regurgitation (MR). It is necessary to determine the severity of MR before treatment with MitraClip; however, the severity of secondary MR is usually underestimated compared with that of primary MR and varies temporally. Therefore, to accurately determine the severity of MR, it is important to correctly use the algorithm of the guidelines for valvular heart disease and aggressively perform stress echocardiography. Before performing TEER, the difficulty of the procedure should be evaluated. First, morphological features that make TEER unsuitable, such as cleft of the mitral leaflet, mitral stenosis (MS), or perforation of the mitral leaflet, should be checked. The mitral valve orifice area, transmitral valve pressure gradient, coaptation depth, coaptation length, and posterior leaflet length should be measured to determine the difficulty of the procedure based on the inclusion criteria of Endovascular Valve Edge-to-Edge Repair Study II and the German consensus. After MitraClip implantation, in addition to assessing the severity of MS and residual MR, the pulmonary venous flow pattern and stroke volume should be evaluated to comprehensively assess whether TEER improves the hemodynamics. MitraClip has also been used to treat atrial functional MR, another type of secondary MR. Several reports suggest that MitraClip is effective for atrial functional MR; however, evidence is still being accumulated.

Echocardiogram Unmasked Hemodynamic Advantage of Atrial Pacing in Securing Ventricular Preload in a Fontan Patient with Junctional Rhythm

While the advancement of perioperative management has expanded Fontan candidacy, not all patients have a successful postoperative course. Our case was a right isomerism patient who could not leave the ICU due to high central venous pressure and low output syndrome. Initial observation of the monitor ECG showed his rhythm to be supraventricular, however, an echocardiogram indicated simultaneous contraction of the atrium and ventricle, implying a junctional rhythm. While neither central venous pressure nor blood pressure improved with temporary pacing, better central venous and pulmonary venous blood flow patterns during pacing unraveled its positive impact. The patient successfully left the ICU after permanent pacing implantation. Hemodynamic study revealed a beneficial impact of atrial pacing in securing cardiac output and ventricular preload, lowering central venous pressure, and shortening blood transit time, which is partly attributed to the optimization of the fenestration function in reservation of the preload. Our case emphasizes the significant advantage of atrial pacing in a failing Fontan patient with junctional rhythm by reducing venous congestion and maximizing the benefit of fenestration.

Pulmonary Venous Flow Pattern due to Left Ventricular Diastolic Dysfunction among Impaired Glucose Tolerance Patients

Background: The pattern of pulmonary venous flow due to left ventricular diastolic dysfunction is important among impaired glucose tolerance patients.&#x0D; Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to observe the pulmonary venous flow pattern due to left ventricular diastolic dysfunction among impaired glucose tolerance patients.&#x0D; Methodology: This cross sectional study was carried out in the Department of Cardiology at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2005 to June 2007. Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) patients attending Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation in Diabetes, Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders, Dhaka, Bangladesh were included in this study as group A. The apparently healthy persons without cardiovascular disease were taken as group B. All the study subjects underwent 2D and M-mode echocardiography.&#x0D; Result: Doppler pulmonary inflow parameters of group A and group B showed no statistically' significant difference in peak S-wave (46.42+10.06 vs 51.20±8.34 cm/s, P&gt;0.05), peak D-wave (34.86±8.01 vs 40.48±5.77 cm/s, P&gt;0.05) and S/D, ratio (1.35±0.21 vs 1.20±0.13, P&gt;0.05). Doppler pulmonary inflow parameters were compared between left ventricular diastolic dysfunction present and absent in group A which showed no statistically significant differences in peak S-wave (p&gt;0.01), peak D-wave (p&gt;0.50), S/D ratio (p&gt;0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion the pulmonary venous flow pattern is significantly difference due to left ventricular diastolic dysfunction among impaired glucose tolerance patients.&#x0D; Journal of Current and Advance Medical Research 2020;7(1): 3-6

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome With Intact or Restrictive Atrial Septum

Infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and an intact or highly restrictive atrial septum (HLHS-IAS) represent a high-risk subset. Fetal cardiac intervention (FCI) for fetuses with HLHS-IAS has been reported in single-institution series as a therapy that may improve outcomes. This study uses the International Fetal Cardiac Intervention Registry (IFCIR) to examine fetal and maternal characteristics and pregnancy and neonatal outcome data for FCI in this population. For this descriptive analysis, the IFCIR was queried for fetuses with HLHS-IAS evaluated between 2001 and March 2015 for possible FCI and felt to be candidates at the referral center by a variety of published criteria including foramen ovale (FO) size, shunt flow direction across the FO, and pulmonary venous Doppler flow patterns. It includes those who were determined not to be candidates because of other fetal noncardiac conditions, maternal conditions, or maternal preferences, or because FCI was not performed at the participating institution. Further details on the methodology of the IFCIR registry are found in the initial report.1 Participating IFCIR member sites obtained local institutional review board and ethics board approval or a waiver, as governed …

The role of Ivabradine in Diastolic Heart Failure with preserved Ejection Fraction. A Doppler-Echocardiographic study.

Background:Ivabradine (IVA) is effective in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) or systolic heart failure in sinus rhythm. Its action consists in reducing heart rate (HR) and improving the time of left ventricular (LV) diastolic filling. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of IVA added to conventional therapy on patients with diastolic heart failure (DHF) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).Methods:We evaluated 25 patients with DHF in the New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class II-III and sinus rhythm. In these, IVA per os (5 mg/twice a day) was added to the conventional medical therapy and given for 12 weeks. Immediately before the beginning of IVA therapy and 3 months later, patients underwent echocardiographic evaluation by two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). The patterns of diastolic mitral inflow and pulmonary venous flow were recorded using 2D echocardiography, while the diastolic phase of mitral flow was recorded by TDI, from the lateral mitral annulus.Results:Three months after the addition of IVA to conventional treatment, HR significantly decreased in comparison to the baseline values. On the contrary, the echocardiographic indexes of LV diastolic dysfunction improved.Conclusions:These results testify that the addition of IVA to conventional therapy in patients with HFpEF can improve LV diastolic function evaluated by 2D and tissue Doppler-echocardiographic patterns. These Doppler-echocardiographic results match with the clinical improvement of patients evaluated.

Altered Pulmonary Venous Flow Pattern in Young Adults with Atrial Septal Defect

Introduction: Atrial septal defect (ASD) is a common congenital heart disease and causes left-to-right shunting and significant right ventricular (RV) volume overload. The goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of these hemodynamic changes on pulmonary venous flow pattern in young adults. Methods: Complete echocardiographic examination was performed in a group of 40 young adults (aged < 40 years) who had secundum type ASD and was compared to 40 age-matched individuals in control group who had no cardiac abnormality. Systolic and diastolic flow velocities in pulmonary veins (PV), superior vena cava (SVC), inferior vena cava (IVC) and RV functional parameters were recorded and evaluated. Results: As opposed to healthy young individuals who showed distinct S and D waves with diastolic predominance in pulmonary vein Doppler, in patients with ASD a continuous flow with increased systolic peak that began in systole and continued to the late diastole was observed. The RV systolic function increased compared to the control group. Conclusions: In patients with ASD, the pattern of pulmonary veins flow transforms into a single continuous antegrade wave with systolic dominance due to persistent shunting of left atrial blood in to right heart chambers as well as increased RV pump function on pulmonary vein (by means of ASD), SVC and IVC, and could be used as a screening method for the presence of secundum type ASDs in young adults.

Abstract 14797: Impact of Normalized Pulmonary Vein Flow Pattern After Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair

Background: Systolic reverse pulmonary venous flow (PVF) assessed with pulsed Doppler echocardiography is a valuable marker of severe mitral regurgitation (MR). However, the relationship between PVF pattern after MR reduction by percutaneous mitral valve repair with MitraClip system and clinical outcome is not well established. We hypothesized that normalized PVF after MitraClip procedure was associated with successful MR reduction and clinical outcome. Method: 146 consecutive patients with symptomatic MR who implanted the MitraClip were studied. The patients were divided into 2 groups on the basis of post-procedural left upper PVF pattern; the normalized group (n = 77) and the non-normalized group (n = 69). The normalized PVF was defined as a ratio of peak systolic to diastolic flow velocity ≧1. Results: In baseline characteristics, the normalized PVF was independently associated with age &lt;75 (liner regression coefficient [B] = 0.521, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.146 - 0.822, P = 0.016) and degenerative MR (B = 0.969, 95% CI 0.049 - 0.383, P &lt;.0001). The normalized group demonstrated significantly higher residual MR ≦2 rate than non-normalized group (100% vs. 97.3%, P = 0.003). At a mean of 2.9 ± 1.9 years follow up, the rate of freedom from the composite endpoint (defined as surgery or 2nd MitraClip procedure for mitral valve dysfunction or all cause death) was significantly higher in the normalized group. Mutivariable Cox regression analysis demonstrated that normalized PVF was an independent post-procedural parameter of freedom from composite endpoint (hazard ratio =0.571, 95%CI 0.339 - 0.948, P = 0.03). Conclusion: The normalized PVF after the MitraClip procedure was associated with successful MR reduction and a long-term clinical outcome. Prospective data should be used to validate this.

Fetal pulmonary venous Doppler flow patterns in hypoplastic left heart syndrome

To discuss the value of fetal pulmonary venous Doppler flow patterns in hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Forty-six HLHS and 180 normal singleton fetuses at 24+0 to 37+6 weeks of gestation were enrolled in this study. The blood flow of pulmonary vein (PV) was detected by color Doppler ultrasound. The systolic wave of ventricle (S-wave), diastolic wave of ventricle (D-wave), atrial contraction wave (A-wave) and S/D ratio of PV were measured. The statistical difference in the above parameters between HLHS and normal fetuses was compared. The diagnosis was also confirmed by autopsy in still birth or postnatal follow-up when the baby was alive. The PV blood flow in HLHS fetuses had a high possibility of reversed A wave, and the velocity of S wave and S/D ratio were higher than the matched normal controls (P<0.001). There were 3 types of PV blood flow patterns among all fetuses with HLHS. Both the cases with right to left shunt through foramen ovale (FO) and the cases with restricted left to right shunt at FO showed the triphasic patterns of PV with antegrade S wave, D wave and retrograde A wave. However, the latter had a higher velocity of retrograde A wave (P<0.001), lower D wave (P<0.001), and obviously elevated S wave and S/D ratio (P<0.001). The cases with intact interatrial septum showed short and apparent pulsatile back and forth blood flow in the PV, which displayed as absence of D wave. The 3 types of PV blood flow patterns in the fetuses with HLHS reflect the severity of hypertension in the left atrium, which is extremely vital for the prognosis and the perinatal treatment plan.

Fetal Pulmonary Venous Flow and Restrictive Foramen Ovale in Hypoplastic Left Heart

Hypoplastic left heart (HLH) with intact or restrictive interatrial communication (HLH-IAS/RAS) is associated with high mortality rates. The object was to correlate pulmonary venous (PV) Doppler spectra and direct foramen ovale (FO) assessment with the neonatal need for early atrial septostomy (EAS) and neonatal outcome. We reviewed all prenatal echocardiograms and outcomes of 51 fetuses with HLH and information about the interatrial communication between 1994 - 2011. IAS/RAS was defined as a small/absent interatrial shunt on 2-dimensional imaging. Three PV Doppler spectra were observed: type A: continuous forward flow with a small a wave reversal; type B: continuous forward flow with increased a-wave reversal; type C: brief to-and-fro flow. Three of 51 neonates with type C pulmonary venous flow pattern and suspicion of IAS/RAS on 2-dimensional (2-DE) evaluation required EAS. In one fetus pulmonary venous flow changed from type B to type C spectra throughout gestation. Fetuses with type C spectra showed a 71.4 % survival after 30 days compared to 92.3 % in fetuses with type A spectra. Short term survival after EAS was 33 %. Prenatal PV flow pattern and 2-DE of the FO size help in identifying the fetus at risk for neonatal EAS and patient selection for fetal cardiac intervention. Most late second trimester values will not change over time.

The Use of Reconstructive Surgery to Improve Quality of Life and Survival in Prenatal Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Outcomes for hypoplastic left heart syndrome have improved substantially in the era of prenatal diagnosis. Current stage 1 survival rates are in excess of 90% in the absence of risk factors. However, fetuses with an intact atrial septum continue to have poor postnatal survival. Accurate diagnosis of these fetuses with an intact atrial septum relies upon careful assessment of the patent foramen ovale, pulmonary venous Doppler flow patterns and branch pulmonary artery Doppler flow patterns. Prenatal and perinatal interventions, such as the placement of an atrial stent in utero or delivery at a center where a stent may be placed immediately after birth to relieve left atrial hypertension, may improve survival in this particularly high-risk group.

New pulmonary vein Doppler echocardiographic index predicts significant interatrial shunting in secundum atrial septal defect

BackgroundThe relation between pulmonary venous flow (PVF) pattern and degree of left-to-right interatrial shunting (IAS) in patients with secundum atrial septal defect (ASD) is unknown. MethodsFifty consecutive ASD patients (14 males, 36±17years) received transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) before and 1day after transcatheter closure and their results were compared to 40 controls. The ratio of pulmonary-to-systemic flows (Qp/Qs) was assessed by TTE and invasive oximetry. ResultsPre-closure PV systolic (PVs), diastolic (PVd) velocities and velocity-time integral (PV-VTI) increased, time from onset of ECG Q-wave to the peak PV diastolic wave (Q-PVd) shortened and atrial reversal (PVar) velocity significantly decreased as compared to normals. These findings normalized after closure. Patients with large IAS (defined as invasive Qp/Qs≥2) had higher PVs, PVd and PV-VTI, shorter Q-PVd but lower PVar (all p<0.01) than those with small IAS. Invasive Qp/Qs ratios correlated with PVs, PVd, PV-VTI, Q-PVd and TTE-derived Qp/Qs ratios, ASD sizes and RV end-diastolic dimensions (all p<0.05). PV-VTI (β=0.49) and ASD size (β=0.48) remained independent predictors of large IAS after multivariate analysis. The corresponding sensitivity, specificity and AUC were 89%, 82% and 0.90 respectively for a PV-VTI of 30cm (p<0.001). ConclusionASD patients with significant IAS have distinguishable PVF features. Doppler evaluation of PV-VTI is a novel additional tool for assessing the magnitude of shunting in these patients non-invasively.

Prediction of Transition to Chronic Atrial Fibrillation in Elderly Patients with Nonvalvular Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation by Transthoracic Doppler Echocardiography

It is well known that paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) often precedes the development of chronic atrial fibrillation (CAF). The purpose of this study was to determine prospectively whether transthoracic echocardiography is useful for the prediction of the transition to CAF in elderly patients with nonvalvular PAF. Forty-two consecutive elderly patients (> or =65 years) with nonvalvular PAF were prospectively evaluated after undergoing transthoracic echocardiography. The study endpoint was the transition to CAF (AF; > or = 6 mo). During a follow-up period of 32 +/- 24 mo, 12 patients developed CAF. Patients with CAF had a significantly lower peak A velocity (A) and a higher E/A ratio of the transmitral inflow (TMF) such as a pseudonormalization pattern, and a lower peak atrial reversal wave velocity, higher peak diastolic wave velocity (D), and lower peak systolic/diastolic wave velocity ratio (S/D ratio) of the pulmonary venous flow (PVF). Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that the transition to CAF was observed more often when A was < or = 70 cm/sec and E/A ratio was > or = 1.07 of TMF, and D was > or = 44 cm/sec and the S/D ratio was < or = 1.34 of PVF. All patients developed CAF when the E/A ratio was > or = 1.15 or the S/D ratio was < or = 0.75. This prospective study suggests that elderly patients at high risk for transition to CAF have a pseudonormalization pattern of TMF and a diastolic dominant pattern of PVF, and that transthoracic Doppler estimation of TMF and PVF may be useful in identifying elderly patients at high risk for the transition from nonvalvular PAF to CAF.

Echocardiographic Evaluation of Diastolic Function Can Be Used to Guide Clinical Care

For normal cardiac performance, the left ventricle (LV) must be able to eject an adequate stroke volume at arterial pressure (systolic function) and fill without requiring an elevated left atrial (LA) pressure (diastolic function). These systolic and diastolic functions must be adequate to meet the needs of the body both at rest and during stress. Response by Tschope and Paulus on p 809 Systolic function is conveniently (although not always accurately) measured as the ejection fraction (EF), calculated as stroke volume divided by end-diastolic volume.1 The LV EF is easily interpreted. The lower limit of normal is ≈50%. The lower the EF is, the greater the reduction in systolic function. Diastolic function has been more difficult to evaluate.2 Traditionally, invasive measures of LV diastolic pressure-volume relations and the rate of LV pressure fall during isovolumetric relaxation have been used. However, these methods are not practical for routine clinical use and do not adequately evaluate all aspects of diastolic filling.3 Comprehensive echocardiographic evaluation of the dynamics of LV filling using blood pool and tissue Doppler has now progressed so that it provides clinically important information that can be used to direct patient care. We present data that support the use of echocardiographic evaluation of diastolic function to recognize cardiac dysfunction in patients with heart failure, especially those with preserved EF; to guide the management of patients by identifying those with and without elevated left filling pressures regardless of underlying EF; and to determine prognosis in a wide variety of patient populations. Although the LV end-diastolic pressure-volume relation describes the passive properties of the LV, LV filling is not a passive or slow process.3 In fact, the peak flow rate across the mitral valve is equal to or greater than the peak flow rate across the aortic valve. …

Immediate Change in Pulmonary Venous Flow Pattern after Deployment of Occluder Device for Atrial Septal Defect

Transcatheter closure of a secundum defect using a septal occluder is a safe and effective procedure based on long-term follow-up, but no clinical studies have examined immediate hemodynamic changes. We evaluated pulmonary venous flow velocity pattern before and immediately after deployment of the Amplatzer septal occluder for closure of atrial septal defect. From May 2003 to January 2005, 48 patients with secundum atrial septal defect received transcatheter closure with complete occlusion. Patients were divided into two groups according to age: pediatric group, under 16 years (n = 30, age 7.3 +/- 3.2 years), and adult group, 16 years or older (n = 18, age 30.1 +/- 11.4 years). Pulmonary venous flow pattern was recorded by transesophageal echocardiography before and immediately after occluder deployment. Immediately after deployment in both patient groups, pulmonary vein systolic (S) and diastolic (D) wave velocity decreased, but atrial reversal (AR) wave velocity increased. In the pediatric group, S-wave was 56.1 +/- 17.1 versus 35.5 +/- 11.3 cm/sec (P < 0.001); D-wave was 57.6 +/- 12.5 versus 42.9 +/- 11.8 cm/sec (P < 0.001); and AR wave velocity was 12.2 +/- 3.8 versus 15.5 +/- 4.1 cm/sec (P < 0.001). In the adult group, S-wave was 48.4 +/- 13.7 versus 32.7 +/- 10.3 cm/sec (P < 0.001); D-wave was 51.9 +/- 11.7 versus 38.0 +/- 8.5 m/sec (P < 0.001); and AR wave velocity was 12.1 +/- 4.1 versus 16.2 +/- 4.9 cm/sec (P < 0.001). Comparison of pulmonary venous flow before and immediately after deployment of the Amplatzer septal occluder provides an excellent model to evaluate the influence of an atrial communication on pulmonary venous flow. Pulmonary venous forward flow decreases following atrial septal defect (ASD) closure.

Pattern of pulmonary venous flow in patients with ostium secundum atrial septal defect

The purpose of this study is to determine the possible influence of a left to right atrial shunt over the pulmonary venous flow pattern in children with ostium secundum atrial septal defect (ASD). Complete two-dimensional, spectral Doppler and colour flow Doppler examination were undertaken to examine the pulmonary vein flow pattern in 74 patients with ASD. This group was compared with a control group of 49 non-cardiological patients of similar ages and gender. Ultimately, pulmonary venous flow patterns changed. Pulmonary vein systolic velocities were significantly increased and diastolic velocities decreased in the ASD patient group compared with the control group. The right ventricular (RV) systolic function, evaluated by tricuspid annular displacement and tricuspid annular systolic velocity, was increased in patients with ASD. No left ventricular dysfunction was detected in the patient study group. Patients with ASD show changes in the pattern of pulmonary venous flow with an increase in systolic velocity and a decrease in diastolic velocities. This could be caused by an increase in the RV systolic function, which creates a vacuum effect against not only blood from the superior and inferior vena cavae, but also blood from the pulmonary vein through the ASD.