Assessment of right ventricular diastolic filling parameters by Doppler echocardiography

Abstract Background : Right ventricular diastolic function has been evaluated in various diseases by the pulsed Doppler technique. Right ventricular diastolic filling parameters show changes with age, heart rate and respiration. Evidences of diastolic left and right ventricular dysfunctions have been reported by echocardiographic studies in asthmatic patients. In the present study, before and after treatment of asthma the right ventricular diastolic filling parameters were compared in children with moderate asthma by Doppler echocardiography (a non‐invasive technique). Methods : The study group consisted of 20 children (eight girls, 12 boys) with asthma. During the present study these patients were treated with inhaled steroid and beta‐2 agonist daily. Before treatment all patients were evaluated by Doppler echocardiography. At 4−6 weeks after treatment 15 patients that had shown improvement in their symptoms according to the symptom score were also evaluated by Doppler echocardiography. Results : The mean age was 8.6 ± 2.69 years and mean period of symptoms were 56.4 ± 35.8 months. When compared with results of echocardiography before and after treatment, the right ventricular diastolic filling parameters (acceleration time: P < 0.01, deceleration time: P < 0.01 and isovolumetric relaxation time: P < 0.05) were found to be significantly different. Conclusions : We observed significant improvement of right ventricular diastolic filling parameters by Doppler echocardiography after treatment in children with asthma.