Echocardiographic evaluation of left-ventricular diastolic function in patients with chronic pulmonary hypertension

Different patterns of left-ventricular (LV) diastolic dysfunction were repo rted in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PHT). There are no data regar ding the relationship between the severity of PHT and LV diastolic dysfunct ion. In order to determine the severity of PHT at which LV diastolic dysfun ction occurs and to identify its pattern, we studied by Doppler echocardiog raphy 120 patients with PHT (57 with severe PHT and 63 with mild or moderat e PHT) and compared them with 75 normal controls. Systolic pulmonary artery pressure (SPAP) was measured by tricuspid regurgitant jet method and the u sual transmitral LV diastolic indices were recorded. LV diastolic dysfuncti on of impaired relaxation type is most commonly seen in patients with sever e PHT, No differences were observed between patients with mild and moderate PHT regarding LV diastolic function. A SPAP greater than or equal to 60 mm Hg is needed to induce changes in the LV diastolic filling pattern. Copyri ght (C) 2001 S. Karger AG. Basel.