Isovolumetric relaxation flow in patients with ischemic heart disease

Abstract

Changes in left ventricular relaxation are accompanied by alterations in isovolumetric relaxation flow. It is therefore useful to evaluate isovolumetric relaxation flow when investigating early diastolic ventricular function.

Is the Blood Flow in the Left Ventricle during the Isovolumic Relaxation Period a Useful Parameter of Left Ventricular Systolic and Early Diastolic Performance?

“…Using pulsed Doppler echocardiography, Tanaka et al [15]reported that the pattern of IRF velocity waveforms at the center of the left ventricle was affected by LV relaxation and related to the LV outward wall motion observed during the isovolumic relaxation period. In their investigations, an IRF toward the base from the apex in the left ventricle was observed in patients with an anterior MI and apical akinesia or dyskinesia.…”

“…An outward ventricular wall motion during the isovolumic relaxation period has been observed using left ventriculography [10, 11, 12, 13]and an associated intraventricular flow has been revealed by Doppler echocardiography [14, 15, 16]. Using pulsed Doppler echocardiography, Tanaka et al [15]reported that the pattern of IRF velocity waveforms at the center of the left ventricle was affected by LV relaxation and related to the LV outward wall motion observed during the isovolumic relaxation period.…”

Unusual Doppler trace in mitral stenosis: prominent isovolumic relaxation flow: Figure 1

“…This phenomenon has been described in healthy individuals and in various conditions commonly hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, aortic valve disease, hypertension, coronary artery disease and ventricular pre-excitation 1 2…”

Prominent isovolumic relaxation flow in a patient with cardiac tamponade

“…Such flow is rare in pericardial effusion and may be due to enhanced early diastolic untwisting, sphericalization of apex, and restriction of wall motion by epicardial fibrous tissue. We describe herein a rare case of prominent IVRF with interesting underlying mechanisms.Keywords Cardiac tamponade Á Isovolumic relaxation flow Á Tissue Doppler imaging Á Pulsed Doppler imaging Á Longitudinal strain Isovolumic relaxation flow (IVRF) is observed in various cardiac diseases [1,2]. However, there have been few reports describing prominent IVRF in cardiac tamponade [3].…”

“…Isovolumic relaxation flow (IVRF) is observed in various cardiac diseases [1,2]. However, there have been few reports describing prominent IVRF in cardiac tamponade [3].…”