Evaluation of the Left Ventricular Diastolic Function Using Three‐Dimensional Echocardiography

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to evaluate the left ventricular (LV) diastolic function parameter calculated using three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography. METHOD: Using 3D echocardiography and an analysis software program, the left ventricular volume through the cardiac cycle was measured automatically. We therefore calculated 25%, 50%, and 75% of the subtraction end-systolic volume (ESV) from the end-diastolic volume (EDV). The period that the left ventricular volume reached those volumes was calculated from the ESV. Those periods divided all diastolic periods and those calculated values were named D1/4, D1/2, and D3/4, respectively. The peak-filling rate and 1/3 filling fraction (FF) were calculated. E/A, mitral annulus velocities (E'), E/E', ejection fraction (EF), and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) were also measured. RESULTS: E/A significantly correlated with D3/4. E/E'significantly correlated with the D1/4, D1/2, and 1/3 filling fraction. E'had a significantly negative correlation with the D1/4, D1/2, D3/4, and 1/3 FF. DT significantly correlated with D1/4, D1/2, D3/4, 1/3 FF, and the mean filling rate and it had a significant negative correlation with the 1/3 filling fraction. EF showed a significant positive correlation with the peak filling ratio. LVEDP demonstrated a significant correlation with D1/4 and D1/2. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the LV diastolic indexes as determined by 3D echocardiography provide useful information in the clinical assessment of the diastolic LV function.