Bg. Reddy et al., ABNORMALITIES IN TRANSMITRAL FLOW INDEXES IN PATIENTS WITH ACQUIRED-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-SYNDROME - A DOPPLER-ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC STUDY, American journal of noninvasive cardiology, 7(5), 1993, pp. 275-280
Transmitral flow velocity was measured by Doppler echocardiography in
17 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and a contr
ol group. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) in decelera
tion half-time, deceleration rate, A wave velocity and A/E ratio betwe
en normal subjects and control patients were noted. There was no signi
ficant difference in E wave velocity acceleration half-time and ejecti
on fraction between normal subjects and patients. We conclude that abn
ormalities in transmitral flow indices consistent with abnormal diasto
lic patterns of relaxation occur in patients with AIDS. Treatment of c
ongestive heart failure in AIDS patients requires attention to the eva
luation of left ventricular diastolic patterns at relaxation, and left
ventricular diastolic function should be considered in the evaluation
of cardiac function.