Al-Azhar Assiut Medical Journal (Apr 2024)
Left ventricular ejection time: its relation to left ventricular systolic function and functional capacity in cardiomyopathic patients
Abstract
Background and aim Left ventricular ejection time (LVET) was used to evaluate left ventricular function. Transthoracic echocardiogram was done, and parameters of LV systolic function by utilizing tissue Doppler imaging and two-dimensional strain were obtained. Moreover, the New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class and 6 min walk test (6MWT) was investigated intending to detect the LVET value in the detection of LV systolic dysfunction in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and its relation to a functional capacity to assess the clinical severity of systolic heart failure. Patients and methods The enrolled 131 cases (101 myopathic patients and 30 case as a control). All cases do complete transthoracic echocardiogram to assess LV dimensions, volumes, and systolic function. Parameters of LV systolic function were compared in both groups. LVET was calculated, compared, and correlated with LV systolic function, NYHA class, and 6MWT. Results The LV volumes of patients with DCM were significantly elevated (P<0.001), while their LV systolic function was significantly reduced. Additionally, the cardiomyopathic group revealed a significant reduction in LVET in comparison to the control group (P=0.002). Moreover, the LVET correlates significantly with parameters of LV systolic function [LVEF by M-mode (r=0.01), LVEF by two-dimensional (r=0.17), left ventricular global longitudinal strain (r=0.09), left ventricular systolic velocity (r=0.20)]. Furthermore, LVET connected to NYHA functional class and 6MWT (r=−0.06, P<0.0001, r=0.04, P=0.01, respectively). Conclusions In individuals having DCM, LVET is a simple and valuable measure to diagnose LV systolic dysfunction as well as it has potential implications for assessing the clinical severity of heart failure.
Keywords
