Paradoxical increase in E/e' ratio after treatment of heart failure in two patients with preserved ejection fraction

J Med Ultrason (2001). 2015 Apr;42(2):239-41. doi: 10.1007/s10396-014-0577-1. Epub 2014 Sep 17.

Abstract

We report an increase in E/e' ratio after treatment of heart failure (HF) in two patients. In case 1, the E/e' ratio increased from 15 to 18 after treatment of HF. In case 2, the E/e' ratio also increased from 24 to 35. Although a high E/e' ratio suggests high pulmonary artery wedge pressure and worsening HF, the ratio may increase after improvement of HF.In the present cases of diastolic dysfunction, the high E wave did not change, but the e' wave decreased relatively. This report may suggest difficulty in evaluating hemodynamic status based on the E/e' ratio in patients with diastolic dysfunction.

Keywords: E/e′ ratio; Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed
  • Female
  • Heart Failure / diagnostic imaging*
  • Heart Failure / physiopathology
  • Heart Failure / therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pulmonary Wedge Pressure
  • Stroke Volume*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ventricular Function, Left