Evaluation of diastolic function in patients with slow coronary flow by conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography

Objective: In present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of slow coronary flow (SCF) on left ventricular diastolic functions by using conventional and tissue Doppler imaging method. Methods: Thirty-two SCF patients with normal coronary artery (mean age, 55±13, 18 male), and 30 normal coronary flow patients with normal coronary artery (mean age, 50±10, 15 male) were enrolled to the study. TIMI frame count method was used for SCF diagnosis. The left ventricular diastolic functions of all participants were evaluated by conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography one day after coronary angiography. All data were compared between two groups. Results: TIMI frame counts of left anterior descending artery, circumflex and right coronary artery were significantly higher in CSF group (p<0.01). There were significant decrease in early and late diastolic maximum filling rates (E/A) (p<0.01), and significant prolongation at early deceleration time (p<0.01) on conventional echocardiography in CSF group. The tissue Doppler parameters which have been measured from the four region of mitral annulus were as follows: the mean Em velocity and mean Em/Am ratio were significantly lower in CSF patients (p<0.01), and mean Am velocity were significantly higher (p<0.01). E/Em, a non-invasive predictor of left ventricular filling pressures, is similar in both groups. Conclusion: The regional and global left ventricular functions of SCF patients were significantly deteriorated compared to controls.