Doppler echocardiographic study of left ventricular diastole in non-anaesthetized healthy cats

The current study: (1) describes the Doppler technique for the assessment o f diastolic function ill feline patients; (2) reports normal Doppler diasto lic values; and (3) determines the effect of;ageing on these parameters. Do ppler echocardiography was performed on 20 non-anaesthetized healthy cats. Each diastolic parameter was correlated with age, body weight, body surface al-cn and R-K interval. To assess the isovolumetric relaxation phase of di astole, isovolumetric relaxation time was measured. To assess the filling p hase of diastole, we measured peak flow velocities of the E and A waves, di astolic filling time, acceleration and deceleration time of the E wave and the E/A ratio of transmitral flow, peak flow velocity of the S, D and the A retrograde waves, as well as the S/D ratio and the systolic fraction of pu lmonary venous flow. We found a significant correlation between age and peak flow velocity of th e A wave, normalized peak now velocity of the A wave, the E/A ratio, the ac celeration time of the E wave, the diastolic filling time, the velocity tim e integral of the E wave, the peak flow velocity of the S wave and the syst olic fraction. It was concluded that Doppler echocardiographic analysis of diastole is possible in the cat and that age has most effect on filling par ameters.