Analysis of the myocardial velocities in patients with mitral stenosis

Background: Pure mitral stenosis (MS) affects left-ventricular performance as a result of myocardial and functional factors. We planned this study to evaluate the effect of MS on right- and left-ventricular functions using Doppler tissue imaging (DTI). Methods: A total of 46 patients with an established diagnosis of MS (mean age: 41 ± 11 years), and 40 age-matched healthy individuals (mean age: 40 ± 9 years) were included in this study. Echocardiography equipped with DTI function was performed on each participant. The mitral valve area was measured. Myocardial velocities were recorded at 4 different sites (septum, lateral, anterior, and inferior) of the left ventricle, and the right-ventricular free wall annulus by DTI. The positive systolic velocity when the mitral and tricuspid ring moved toward the cardiac apex, and 2 negative diastolic velocities when the mitral annulus moved toward the base away from the apex (1 during the early phase of diastole and another in the late phase of diastole [Am]) were measured. The early diastolic velocity/Am ratio was calculated for each wall. The mean of systolic and diastolic myocardial velocities of the left ventricle was calculated. Patients with pure MS were compared with healthy participants, and the relationship of DTI variables with mitral valve area was evaluated. Results: The myocardial velocities of the left ventricle indicating left-ventricular function were found to be significantly lower in patients with pure MS. Right-ventricular annulus velocities, on the other hand, were similar in both groups. A significant positive correlation could be established between mitral valve area and mean positive systolic velocity, Am of the left ventricle, and right-ventricular Am (r = 0.50, P < .001; r = 0.48, P = .001; r = 0.45, P = .002, respectively), whereas a significant negative correlation (r = -0.42, P = .004) was established for right-ventricular early diastolic velocity/Am ratio. Conclusion: This first study where pure MS was evaluated by DTI shows that MS affects left-ventricular performance on long axis. The results indicate that the decrease in left-ventricular performance is caused by both functional and myocardial factors.