Age-related hemodynamic changes during diastole: a combined M-mode and Doppler echo study.

To determine the effect of aging on the diastolic function of the left ventricle (LV) echo examination was performed in 115 subjects (47 women, 68 men) without any evidence of organic heart disease (2D and Doppler echo; exercise electrocardiography) aged 21 to 72 (mean +/- SD: 41 +/- 14) years. Transmitral flow with the characteristic early and late diastolic E-wave (E) and A-wave (A) was derived by pulsed Doppler ultrasound, whereas isovolumetric relaxation period (IVRP) was assessed by simultaneous M-mode registration of the aortic and mitral valve. Significantly increased values in older individuals (41 to 72 years; n = 57) as compared to younger subjects (21 to 40 years; n = 58) were found for the A/E ratio of the peak velocities (PAV/PEV) (90 versus 64%; p less than 0.001) and the velocity-time integrals (VTI-A/E) (79 versus 36%; p less than 0.001), atrial contribution to LV filling (AFF) (45 versus 26%; p less than 0.001) and isovolumic relaxation period (IVRP) (81 versus 72 ms; p less than 0.001). Age significantly correlated with PAV/PEV (r = 0.74; p less than 0.001), VTI-A/E (r = 0.83; p less than 0.001), AFF (r = 0.81; p less than 0.001) and IVRP (r = 0.74; p less than 0.001). Thus, age-related hemodynamic changes during diastole are characterized by a prolongation of IVRP and an increase of atrial contribution to LV filling.