Noninvasive Evaluation of Left Ventricular Function in Chronic Severe Anemia

Abstract

Left ventricular function was evaluated noninvasively in cases of chronic severe anemia (GSA) by recording systolic and diastolic time intervals (STI and DTI). These time intervals were recorded in 38 patients with GSA (hemoglobin below 7 g%), without cardiac decompensation, and in 30 control subjects. STI and DTI were measured from the simultaneous recordings of the apexcardiogram, carotid arterial pulse, electrocardiogram and phonocardiogram. The left ventricular ejection time was significantly prolonged (p<0.02), and associated with marked shortening of the PEP and reduction of the PEP/LVET ratio (p<0.001 in each case) in cases of GSA as compared to controls. Regarding the DTI, there was significant shortening of total filling time, slow filling time (p<0.001 in each case) and atrial systole (p<0.01) with no appreciable change in rapid filling time and isovolumic relaxation time. The SFT/RFT ratio and a/H ratio (the amplitude of the a-wave relative to the total height of the apexcardiogram) showed significant reductions (p <0.001 in each case). These changes in STI and DTI indicate enhanced left ventricular performance during diastole followed by faster and more complete relaxation during diastole in CSA. © 1989, International Heart Journal Association. All rights reserved.