DOPPLER-ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT OF LEFT-VENTRICULAR DIASTOLIC FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH PROGRESSIVE SYSTEMIC-SCLEROSIS

To investigate the diastolic function of the left ventricle in patient s with progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS), 13 patients with PSS (3 m ales and 10 females; group PSS) were examined by Doppler echocardiogra phy. As a control 8 age-matched healthy volunteers (3 males and 5 fema les; group H) were also examined. Pulse-wave transmitral Doppler flow velocity curves were digitized and curves of the first derivatives wer e obtained. In group PSS, total left ventricular wall thickness and le ft atrial dimension were increased, the ratio between the left ventric ular end-diastolic dimension and the left ventricular wall thickness w as decreased, late peak diastolic filling was increased, isovolumic re laxation time was prolonged, compared with group H. The patients with left ventricular wall thickening out of proportion to left ventricular end-diastolic dimension had decreased early peak diastolic filling. W e conclude that patients with PSS have deterioration of left ventricul ar diastolic function, and the diastolic function is severely disturbe d in patients with left ventricular wall thickening out of proportion to left ventricular end-diastolic dimensions.