What parameters affect left ventricular diastolic flow propagation velocity? in vitro studies using color m-mode doppler echocardiography

BACKGROUND Insufficient data describe the relationship of hemodynamic parameters to left ventricular (LV) diastolic flow propagation velocity (Vp) measured using color M-mode Doppler echocardiography. METHODS An in vitro LV model used to simulate LV diastolic inflow with Vp measured under conditions of varying: 1) Stroke volume, 2) heart rate (HR), 3) LV volume, 4) LV compliance, and 5) transmitral flow (TMF) waveforms (Type 1: constant low diastasis flow and Type 2: no diastasis flow). RESULTS Univariate analysis revealed excellent correlations of Vp with stroke volume (r = 0.98), LV compliance (r = 0.94), and HR with Type 1 TMF (r = 0.97). However, with Type 2 TMF, HR was not associated with Vp. LV volume was not related to Vp under low compliance, but inversely related to Vp under high compliance conditions (r = -0.56). CONCLUSION These in vitro findings may help elucidate the relationship of hemodynamic parameters to early diastolic LV filling.