Left ventricular global dyssynchrony is exaggerated with age

Background and Aim: total isovolumic time (t-IVt) and tei index both reflect global left ventricular (LV) dyssynchrony. they have been shown to be sensitive in responding to myocardial revascularization and in predicting clinical outcome in heart failure patients. since most these patients are senior, determining the exact effect of age on such parameters remains mandatory. the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of age on LV t-IVt and tei index compared with conventional systolic and diastolic parameters in normal individuals. Methods: We studied 47 healthy individuals, mean age 62±12 years (24 female), who were arbitrarily classified into three groups: M (middle age), s (seniors), and e (elderly), using spectral Doppler echocardiography and tissue-Doppler imaging. We studied the interrelation between age, LV systolic and diastolic function parameters as well as t-IVt [60 – (total ejection time + total filling time) in s/min], and tei index (t-IVt/ejection time). Results: LV ejection fraction was 68±6%, e/A ratio 1±0.4, filling time 538±136ms, ejection time 313±26ms, t-IVt 7.7±2.6 s/min and tei index 0.41±0.14. Age strongly correlated with t-IVt (r=0.8, p<0.001) and with tei index (r=0.7, p<0.001) but not with QRs duration. Age also correlated with e/A ratio (r=-0.6, p<0.001), but not with global or segmental systolic function measurements. Mean values for t-IVt were 5.5 (95% CI, 4.6-6.3 s/min) for M, 6.9 (95% CI, 6.0-7.8 s/min) for s and 9.5 (95% CI, 8.4-10.6 s/min) for e groups. the corresponding upper limit of the t-IVt 95% normal CI (calculated as mean ±2sD) for the three groups was 8.3 s/min, 10.5 s/min and 14.5 s/min, respectively. the upper limit of normal t-IVt 95% CI was significantly shorter in the s compared with the e group (p=0.001). t-IVt correlated with A wave (r=0.66, p<0.001), e/A ratio (r=-0.56, p<0.001), septal e’ (r=-0.49, p=0.001) and septal a’ (r=0.4, p=0.006), but not with QRs. Conclusion: In normals, age is associated with exaggerated LV global dyssynchrony and diastolic function disturbances, but systolic function remains unaffected. the strong relationship between age and t-IVt supports its potential use as a marker of global LV dyssynchrony. In addition, variations in the upper limit of normal values, particularly in the elderly may have significant clinical applications in patients recommended for CRt treatment.