Aim: To evaluate the relationship between Doppler-derived left ventricular (LV) dP/dt and the degree of LV mechanical asynchrony measured by strain rate imaging.
Methods and results: The study group consisted of 69 patients with variable degree of LV dysfunction and mitral regurgitation (MR). Conventional echo variables and LV dP/dt were calculated from the MR Doppler spectrum by rate-pressure-rise method. Strain rate traces were obtained by 12-segment model and LV long axis images were analyzed off-line. The longest time intervals between the peak negative strain rate waves at isovolumic contraction period and peak systole from reciprocal segments were defined as asynchrony index AIc or AIs, respectively. The maximum differences in time-to-peak systolic velocities between opposing walls were also measured as asynchrony index by tissue Doppler (AItd). The dP/dt, mean QRS duration, AIc, AIs, and AItd were 836 +/- 266 mmHg/sec, 125 +/- 31, 38 +/- 28, 64 +/- 44, and 52 +/- 32 m, respectively. No significant correlation between the dP/dt and the LV dimension, ejection fraction or QRS duration was observed. However, dP/dt correlated negatively with AIc, or AIs (r:-0.78, -0.72, P < or = 0.0001) and AItd (r:-0.65, P < or = 0.001). A cutoff dP/dt value of under 700 mmHg/sec can discriminate patients over median AIs (55 ms) or patients with AIc over 30 ms with high sensitivity and specificity.
Conclusions: Doppler-derived LV dP/dt is related to the degree of LV dyssynchrony rather than the conventional systolic function indices such as EF% in patients with severe heart failure. Noninvasive dP/dt assessment in addition to advanced imaging techniques can be used to define patients for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT).