An early predictor of left ventricular remodeling after reperfused anterior acute myocardial infarction: ratio of peak E wave velocity/flow propagation velocity and mitral E wave deceleration time.

Several studies have demonstrated that the ratio of peak E wave velocity/flow propagation velocity (E/FPV) using color M-mode Doppler echocardiography and the mitral E wave deceleration time make it possible to estimate left ventricular filling pressure. Recent studies have indicated that deceleration time can predict left ventricular dilation after acute myocardial infarction. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the early assessment of deceleration time and E/FPV could predict left ventricular dilation after acute myocardial infarction. We studied 55 patients with first anterior acute myocardial infarction who underwent successful coronary angioplasty by two-dimensional (2-D) Doppler echocardiography within 12 hours and at 1 and 6 months after reperfusion. Patients were divided into three groups according to deceleration time and E/FPV immediately after reperfusion: (1). restrictive filling (deceleration time < 140 msec and E/FPV > or= 2.0), (2). elevated filling pressure (deceleration time >or= 140 msec and E/FPV >or= 2.0), (3). and normal filling pressure (deceleration time >or= 140 msec and E/FPV < 2.0). The end-diastolic volume index (EDVI) was similar in the three groups immediately after reperfusion. EDVI in the groups with restrictive filling and elevated filling pressure was significantly greater than that in the group with normal filling pressure at 6 months (93 +/- 11 and 89 +/- 16 vs 59 +/- 11 ml/m(2), respectively; P < 0.0001). E/FPV shows a better correlation with the change in EDVI at 6 months than deceleration time (r = 0.77; P < 0.0001 and r = - 0.46; P < 0.001, respectively). The early measurement of E/FPV provides a simple and accurate means for predicting left ventricular dilation after acute myocardial infarction.