Values of left ventricular diastolic function assessed by left atrial volumes and Doppler echocardiography in healthy Angolans: Effect of age and gender: A pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: Studies about the reference values of conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography in African populations are limited. Objectives: To evaluate the effect of aging and gender in left ventricular diastolic function assessed by conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography in healthy Angolans.Methods: Cross-sectional study involving healthy adult participants attending a diagnostic center in Luanda, Angola. Two-dimensional transthoracic B-mode and Doppler echocardiography were performed according to the Guidelines of the American Society of Echocardiography and the European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging.Results: A total of 103 men (47.5%) (mean age: 39.5 ± 10.8) and 114 women (52.5%) (mean age: 43.0 ± 12.5 years) were included. Women were older (p = 0.025) and showed smaller body surface area (p < 0.001) than men. Mitral E velocity and E/e' ratio were higher in women than in men. While DT of mitral E velocity was longer in men than in women (p = 0.041), E velocity, E/A ratio, and average e' velocity showed a negative significant correlation with increasing age (r À 0.33; p ≤ 0.001; r À 0.48; p ≤ 0.001 and r À 0.41; p ≤ 0.0001, respectively). Conversely, A wave velocity showed a significant positive correlation with age (r 0.47; p < 0.001). Conclusions:In a healthy Angolan adult population, the variables of left ventricular diastolic function declined with age, reflecting a normal aging process. This must be taken into account when assessing diastolic function at different age categories.

Global longitudinal strain and echocardiographic parameters of left ventricular geometry and systolic function in healthy adult Angolans: Effect of age and gender

“…This methodology has been described in detail elsewhere (10). Briefly, a cross-sectional descriptive observational study was carried out in a single diagnostic center in Luanda, Angola.…”

“…All measurements were performed in Mmode and guided by two-dimensional echocardiography. LVM was calculated using the following formula: LVM = 0.8 x {1.04 [(LVEDD + PWT+IVT) 3 -(LVEDD) 3]) + 0.6 (10). The LVM index (LVMI) was calculated using the formula LVMI = LVM/BSA (10).…”

“…LVM was calculated using the following formula: LVM = 0.8 x {1.04 [(LVEDD + PWT+IVT) 3 -(LVEDD) 3]) + 0.6 (10). The LVM index (LVMI) was calculated using the formula LVMI = LVM/BSA (10). RWT was calculated according to the following formula: RWT= 2xPWT/LVEDD.…”

“…RWT was calculated according to the following formula: RWT= 2xPWT/LVEDD. (10). Left ventricular shortening fraction (LVSF) was calculated according to the following formula: LVEDD-LVESD/LVEDD*100.…”

“…The present study is the second part of a pilot study on echocardiographic values of left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function in healthy adult Angolans. The first part focused on LV diastolic function and was published previously (10). This second part aims to evaluate the left ventricular end-diastolic dimensions and volumes, LV systolic function, and left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) using transthoracic echocardiography in healthy adult Angolans.…”