Pulmonary venous flow velocity patterns in 404 individuals without cardiovascular disease

Objective-To determine the pulmonary venous flow velocity (PVFV) values in a large normal population. Design-Prospective study in consecutive individuals. Setting-University hospital. Methods-Among 404 normal individuals, the flow velocity pattern in the righ t upper pulmonary vein was recorded in 315 subjects using transthoracic ech ocardiography, and in both upper pulmonary veins in 100 subjects using tran soesophageal echocardiography. Subjects were divided into five age groups. The PVFV values were compared between transthoracic and transoesophageal ec hocardiography within the age groups, and intraindividually between the rig ht and left upper pulmonary veins in transoesophageal echocardiography. Results-Normal PVFV values for the right upper pulmonary vein in transthora cic and transoesophageal echocardiography are presented. The duration of fl ow reversal at atrial contraction was overestimated using transthoracic ech ocardiography (mean (SD): 96 (21) ms in transoesophageal echocardiography, 120 (28) ms in transthoracic echocardiography, p < 0.0001). Systolic to dia stolic peak flow velocity ratio (S:D) increased earlier with advancing age with transoesophageal echocardiography than with transthoracic echocardiogr aphy. Similar results were found for the corresponding time-velocity integr als. Data from the left and right upper pulmonary veins differed with respe ct to onset and deceleration of flow velocities, but not for flow durations or peak velocities. Conclusions-Normal PVFV values generally show a wide range. The data presen ted will be of value in assessing left ventricular diastolic function and m itral regurgitation using the PVFV pattern.