Abstract
This study assessed the impact of tissue Doppler derived myocardial early diastolic relaxation velocity (Em) on the other parameters of diastolic function (preload dependent transmitral early diastolic velocity [E], tissue Doppler derived myocardial late diastolic velocity [Am], preload dependent transmitral late diastolic velocity [A]) and evaluated the correlation of these parameters with selected clinical variables in type 2 diabetic patients. Using tissue Doppler echocardiography, 82 type 2 diabetic patients were evaluated, divided into two equal groups of Em < 7.5 cm/s or ≥ 7.5 cm/s. Patients with Em < 7.5 cm/s had significantly lower E/A and Em/Am, and higher E/Em values. Multilinear regression showed a negative correlation between Em and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and duration of diabetes, a negative correlation of Em/Am with age, duration of diabetes and HbA1c, and a positive correlation of E/Em with age, duration of diabetes and use of diuretics. The E/A ratio only correlated negatively with age. It is concluded that Em is a reliable parameter of diastolic function, and that the tissue Doppler parameters of diastolic function are associated with diabetes compensation and diabetes duration.
