CHANGE IN CARDIAC DIASTOLIC FUNCTION IN NEONATES

In this study we used Doppler echocardiography to examine changes in v entricular diastolic function in neonates. Echocardiograms were perfor med in 25 healthy neonates at 1-6 days (2.7 +/- 1.6 days) and at 25-35 days (29.4 +/- 3.3 days) after birth. Ventricular inflow velocity cur ves were recorded using the pulsed-Doppler method. Peak velocities (pe ak E, A), mean velocities (mean E, A), times (time E, A), and diastoli c velocity-time integrals (area E, A) were measured during both early ventricular filling and atrial systole. The acceleration time of the w ave during early ventricular filling was also measured. Peak E and A a nd mean E and A in both ventricles increased at I month after birth. A cceleration times in both ventricles were shortened, The ratio of area E to A in both ventricles and of peak E to A in the left ventricle di d not change at 1 month after birth. Only the ratio of peak E to A in the right ventricle increased. The ratio of peak E to (area E + area A ), which is thought to be a load-independent index, increased in both ventricles. The authors concluded that ventricular relaxation appears to increase in both ventricles, 1 month after birth, and that changes in diastolic function occur even in neonates.