This study assessed the impact of tissue Doppler derived myocardial early diastolic relaxation velocity (E-m) on the other parameters of diastolic function (preload dependent transmitral early diastolic velocity [E], tissue Doppler derived myocardial late diastolic velocity [A(m)], 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 E-m < 7.5 cm/s or 7.5 cm/s.
Patients with E-m < 7.5 cm/s had significantly lower E/A and E-m/A(m), and higher E/E-m values. Multi linear regression showed a negative correlation between E-m and glycated haemoglobin (Hb(A1c)) and duration of diabetes, a negative correlation of E-m/Am with age, duration of diabetes and Hb(A1c), and a positive correlation of E/E-m with age, duration of diabetes and use of diuretics.
The E/A ratio only correlated negatively with age. It is concluded that Ern is a reliable parameter of diastolic function, and that the tissue Doppler parameters of diastolic function are associated with diabetes compensation and diabetes duration.