Rate of flow propagation assessment of left ventricular diastolic function by color M mode Doppler echocardiography

Objective To evaluate left ventricular diastolic function by color M mode Doppler echocardiography. Methods The rate of flow propagation (RFP) and the time of flow propagation (TFP) were assessed in normal subjects (n=40) and in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (n=26), hypertension and coronary atherosclerosis disease (n=32). Results RFP and TFP were significant in patients than normal subjects (P0.001). Furthermore, RFP was significantly reduced in dilated cardiomyopathy patients with E/A1. Conclusions The rate of flow propagation was free of pseudonormalization and was more reliable variable to assess the characteristics of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction than the transmitral flow pattern.