Evaluation of left ventricular filling by echocardiographic atrioventricular plane displacement in patients with coronary artery disease

Mean atrioventricular (AV) plane displacement which resulted from left atrial systole and its ratio to the total diastolic displacement, were determined by echocardiography in 101 patients with coronary artery disease. Ratio of motion of the AV plane caused by left atrial systole to the total diastolic displacement was correlated with late-to-early mitral flow peak velocity index (r = 0.7). Selecting a value of this ratio of the AV plane displacement ≥ 44% to define Doppler characteristics indicating impaired left ventricular relaxation, resulted in a high sensitivity, specificity and predictive value. Its value was also validated in another prospectively examined group of coronary artery disease patients. In conclusion echocardiographic assessment of AV plane displacement can be used for the estimation of left ventricular filling in patients with coronary artery disease and particularly in detecting impaired left ventricular relaxation.