Associations between left ventricular diastolic function and right ventricular function in patients with and without preserved left ventricular ejection fraction.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between right ventricular (RV) function and left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in patients with reduced LV ejection fraction (LVEF) and preserved LVEF.

METHODS: A total of 139 patients who had undergone echocardiography were recruited. LV diastolic function was determined as the ratio of mitral inflow E to mitral e' lateral annular velocities (E/e'). RV function was determined as the RV index of myocardial performance (RIMP). Patients were divided into two groups: the preserved LVEF group (n = 100, LVEF ≥ 50%) and the reduced LVEF group (n = 39, LVEF <  50%).

RESULTS: Associations between RV function and LV diastolic function in patients with reduced LVEF and preserved LVEF differed significantly. RIMP correlated significantly with E/e' in patients with reduced LVEF (r = 0.47, p = 0.003), but not in those with preserved LVEF (r = 0.04, p = 0.68). An important finding of the multivariate regression analysis showed that RIMP was the only independent determinant of E/e' in patients with reduced LVEF, whereas age and gender (not RIMP) was the independent determinant of E/e' in patients with preserved LVEF.

CONCLUSIONS: Associations between RV function and LV diastolic function in patients with reduced LVEF and preserved LVEF differed significantly, and RV function showed a close correlation with LV diastolic function in patients with reduced LVEF, but not in those with preserved LVEF. Thus, these findings may well have clinical implications for better management of patients with reduced LVEF.