Abnormalities in transmitral flow indices in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: A doppler echocardiographic study

Transmitral flow velocity was measured by Doppler echocardiography in 17 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and a control group. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) in deceleration half-time, deceleration rate, A wave velocity and A/E ratio between normal subjects and control patients were noted. There was no significant difference in E wave velocity acceleration half-time and ejection fraction between normal subjects and patients. We conclude that abnormalities in transmitral flow indices consistent with abnormal diastolic patterns of relaxation occur in patients with AIDS. Treatment of congestive heart failure in AIDS patients requires attention to the evaluation of left ventricular diastolic patterns at relaxation, and left ventricular diastolic function should be considered in the evaluation of cardiac function.