Improvements in left ventricular diastolic function after cardiac resynchronization therapy are coupled to response in systolic performance

OBJECTIVES: To determine the short-term effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on measurements of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in patients with severe heart failure. BACKGROUND: Cardiac resynchronization therapy improves systolic performance; however, the effects on diastolic function by load-dependent pulsed-wave Doppler transmitral indices has been variable. METHODS: Fifty patients with severe heart failure were evaluated by two-dimensional Doppler echocardiography immediately prior to and 4 ± 1 month after CRT. Measurements included LV volumes and ejection fraction (EF), pulsed-wave Doppler (PWD)-derived transmitral filling indices (E- and A-wave velocities, E/A ratio, deceleration time [DT], diastolic filling time [DFT], and isovolumic relaxation time). Tissue Doppler imaging was used for measurements of systolic and diastolic (Em) velocities at four mitral annular sites; mitral E-wave/Em ratio was calculated to estimate LV filling pressure. Color M-mode flow propagation velocities were also obtained. RESULTS: After CRT, LV volumes decreased significantly (p < 0.001) and LVEF increased >5% in 28 of 50 patients (56%) and were accompanied by reduction in PWD mitral E-wave velocity and E/A ratio (both p < 0.01), increased DT and DFT (both p < 0.01), and lower filling pressures (i.e., E-wave/Em septal; p < 0.01). Patients with LVEF response ≤5% after CRT had no significant changes in measurements of diastolic function; LV relaxation (i.e., Em velocities) worsened in this group. CONCLUSIONS: In heart failure patients receiving CRT, improvement in LV diastolic function is coupled to the improvement in LV systolic function.