MEASUREMENT YIELD AND REPRODUCIBILITY OF KEY M-MODE AND DOPPLER-ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC VARIABLES IN THE ELDERLY

Background: This study was designed to determine the yield and reprodu cibility of common M-mode and Doppler echocardiographic measurements p erformed in the elderly population. Methods: The intra- and interobser ver variabilities of key M-mode and Doppler variables were studied in 100 consecutive patients 65 to 92 years of age (mean age, 75 +/- 7 yea rs). M-mode left ventricular (LV) internal dimension, septal and poste rior wall thickness at end-diastole, LV mass, and left atrial and aort ic root dimensions were determined using American Society of Echocardi ography standards. Transmitral diastolic early and atrial peak flow ve locities were obtained by pulsed wave Doppler echocardiography, and tr ansaortic systolic peak flow velocity was measured by continuous wave Doppler echocardiography. Each variable was measured by two observers in two to three consecutive beats, or in five to 10 beats in patients with arrhythmias. Results: Technically adequate key M-mode measurement s were obtained in 81% to 98% of the elderly patients and Doppler tran smitral and transaortic peak flow velocities in 54% to 62%. The intrao bserver variability was between 1% and 7% and the interobserver variab ility between 4% and 12%. Conclusions: The intra- and interobserver ab solute and percent differences for key M-mode and Doppler variables de monstrated acceptable to excellent reproducibility in the elderly pati ents. However, sigmoid septum (present in 13 patients) was one of the major factors preventing standardized M-mode measurements. Significant aortic or mitral regurgitation (present in 24 patients) interfered wi th the recording of a qualified transmitral diastolic Doppler flow.