DOPPLER-ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC ASSESSMENT OF LEFT-VENTRICULAR DIASTOLIC FUNCTION IN PATIENTS WITH SYSTEMIC LUPUS-ERYTHEMATOSUS

Thirty patients with clinically inactive systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were examined by Doppler echocardiography to investigate the dia stolic properties of the left ventricle. Twelve age-matched healthy wo men were also examined as controls. The pulsed wave transmitral Dopple r flow velocity curves were digitized and curves of their first deriva tives were obtained. Isovolumic relaxation time (IRT), acceleration an d deceleration half-time of the rapid filling wave (E) and atrial cont raction wave (A) (AHTe, DHTe, AHTa, DHTa), A/E, peak dE/dt, -peak dE/d t, peak dA/dt, -peak dA/dt were measured. In the SLE group, IRT and DH Te were prolonged, A, A/E, peak dA/dt and -peak dA/dt were increased c ompared with the control group. We conclude that patients with SLE hav e abnormal left ventricular diastolic function, even though their dise ase is clinically inactive.