Restrictive filling patterns in patients with reduced systolic left ventricular function: identification by velocity encoded magnetic resonance imaging

Methods The study included 41 patients with reduced systolic LV function (ejection fraction 29±12 %). All patients underwent VENC-MRI and Doppler-echocardiography to assess the transmitral and pulmonary-venous flow characteristics. Figure 1 illustrates measurements of maximal earlyand late-diastolic transmitral velocities (Eand A-waves) as well as maximal systolic and diastolic pulmonary venous velocities (Sand D-wave). Restrictive filling pattern was defined by an E/A ratio > 2.0 in combination with an S/D ratio < 1.0. Left atrial volume was obtained on long-axis cine-MRI slices using the biplane area-length method. N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels were assessed as a marker for changed filling pressures. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2-max) was assessed using spiroergometry.