[Differential diagnosis between constrictive pericarditis and cardiac amyloidosis by computerized M-mode echocardiography].

A diastole is a non specific haemodynamic syndrome which may result from constrictive pericarditis or from a restrictive cardiomyopathy. The aim of this study was to differentiate these two types of condition by analysis of computerised M mode recordings of the left ventricle. Three groups of patients were studied: 5 cases of confirmed cardiac amyloidosis (Am); 5 cases of constrictive pericarditis confirmed surgically (CP) and 10 normal subjects (NL). The study was based on analysis of parameters of ventricular filling and of diastolic thinning of the LV free wall. A significant difference was observed between AM and CP but not between PC and NL. Amyloidosis was characterised by a reduction in the maximum velocity of endocavitary diameter lengthening (AM 0,84 +/- 0,56 cir/sec; PC 3,95 +/- 0,77, p less than 0,01), prolongation of the rapid filling phase (AM 0,42 +/- 0,17 sec; PC 0,16 +/- 0,06 sec, p less than 0,02) and a decrease in maximum velocity of free wall thinning (AM 0,45 +/- 0,23 th/syst/sec; PC 4,79 +/- 2,1, p less than 0,01). The diastolic thickness of the free wall was greater in the amyloidosis group (AM 1,73 +/- 0,61 cm; PC 1,05 +/- 0,21, p less than 0,05) and correlated with the reduction of maximum velocity of free wall thinning. Parameters of global diastolic filling did not distinguish the two conditions. The M mode recordings were therefore digitalised to provide graphs of chamber filling and wall thinning and their derivatives.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)