Wall thickness and diastolic properties of the left ventricle.

SUMMARY Diastolic properties of the left ventricle (LV) are probably influenced by several factors, including completeness of ventricular relaxation, composition of the ventricular wall, and wall thickness. This study has utilized a combined ultrasonic and hemodynamic technique to examine the influence of LV posterior wall thickness at end diastole (h,) on LV diastolic characteristics in 24 patients with various forms of heart disease. The slope of late diastolic LV pressure-diameter relations (A&P/AD) was calculated and used as a measure of effective diastolic stiffness (S) late in diastole. S was normalized for average LV pressure during the interval of measurement (P) as S/P, called SN. LV end diastolic pressure (LVEDP), volume index (LVEDVI), and mass index (LVMI) were measured in each patient during the same study at which hp, S and SN were determined .