The Assessment of Left Ventricular Enddiastolic Pressure by Using pulmonary Venous Flow Variables Derived from Transthoracic Echocardiography

It this study we aimed to assess left ventricular enddiastolic pressure by detecting pulmonary venous flow with transthoracic echocardiogrphy. The study group consisted of 47 patients, who underwent hemodynamic study, because of various reasons in the Cardiology Department of Gülhane Military Medical Academy and Medical Faculty. Of these 47 patients, 38 (80%) were men and 9 (20%) were women with a mean age of 51.9±7.8 years. Pulmonary venous flow patterns of patients were recorded by transthoracic echocardiography immediately before the hemodynamic study. The relation between pulmonary venous flow pattern variables and left ventricular enddiastolic pressure was analysed. Left ventricular enddiastolic pressure was best correlated with atrial reversed flow velocity (the correlation coefficient was 0.74). The sensitivity and specificity of predicting high left ventricular enddiastolic pressure (>15 mmHg) of high atrial reversed flow velocity (> 30 cm/sec) was 95%, and 85%, respectively. Positive predictive value was 84%, and negative predictive value was 95%. In conclusion, pulmonary venous flow can be detected by transthoracic approach. Left ventricular enddiastolic pressure is accurately assessed by analysing atrial reversed flow velocity in pulmonary venous flow pattern, in patients with a left atrium diameter in normal ranges, in sinus rhythm, and without cardiac valve pathology.