Echocardiographic estimation of left ventricular filling pressures in patients with mitral valve stenosis

BACKGROUND: Estimation of left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) among patients with mitral valve disease may help to explain their symptoms. However, conventional Doppler measurements have limitations in predicting LVEDP in this group of patients. The aim of this study was to construct a Doppler-derived LVEDP prediction model based on the combined analysis of transmitral and pulmonary venous flow velocity curves. METHODS: Thirty-three patients with moderate to severe mitral stenosis (MS) who had indications for left heart catheterisation enrolled. Two-dimensional, M-mode, colour Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging indices, such as annular early diastolic velocity (Ea), isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), pulmonary vein systolic and diastolic flow velocities, velocity propagation, left atrium area (LAA), interval between the onset of mitral E and annular Ea (TE–Ea), and Tei index were obtained. LVEDP was measured in all patients during left cardiac catheterisation. Linear correlation and multiple linear regressions were used for analysis. RESULTS: The mean of LVEDP was 9.9 ± 5.3 mmHg. In univariate analysis, the only significant relationship was noted with LAA (p = 0.05, R(2) = 0.11). However, in multivariate regression, LAA, Tei index and Ea remained in the model to predict LVEDP (p = 0.02, R(2) = 0.26). For prediction of LVEDP ≥ 15 mmHg, the best model consisted of LAA, IVRT and Ea, and had a sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 85%. CONCLUSION: Our results provided evidence that, in patients with moderate to severe MS, LVEDP can be estimated by combining Doppler echocardiographic variables of mitral flow. However, more studies are required to confirm these results.