Estimation of left ventricular filling gradients using digital analysis of color Doppler M-mode velocities

The assessment of diastolic function currently requires the measurement of intracardiac pressures. Although characteristic pulsed Doppler velocity spectra have been described for a few cardiac diseases, it is only an indirect measure of diastolic function. Color Doppler M-mode measurements of blood passing from the atrium to the ventricle may allow one to investigate global (transmitral) and local (intraventricular) pressure gradients, associated with ventricular relaxation. In the study reported the authors investigate the feasibility and the accuracy of calculating transmitral filling gradients from color Doppler M-mode velocities.<>