Right ventricular function and its relation with TIMI frame count in the coronary slow flow phenomenon

Abstract

Aim: To investigate right ventricular function using conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography in patients with coronary slow flow. Materials and methods: Twenty-two patients with slow coronary flow and 22 healthy subjects were included in the study. Right ventricular function was evaluated by conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography. Additionally, right ventricular global function was assessed by myocardial performance index. Results: The tricuspid annulus peak early diastolic velocity (11.4 ± 2.2 cm/s, 13.9 ± 3 cm/s) and ratio of early to late diastolic velocity (0.70 ± 0.17 cm/s, 1.2 ± 0.38 cm/s) were lower in the patient group than in the controls (P = 0.05, P = 0.002, respectively). Late diastolic velocity (16.4 ± 3 cm/s, 14.4 ± 3 cm/s) and isovolumetric relaxation time (80 ± 9 ms, 66 ± 4 ms) were significantly higher in the patient group than in the controls (P = 0.024, P < 0.001, respectively). Right ventricular myocardial performance index was significantly prolonged in the coronary slow flow group (0.51 ± 0.03, 0.40 ± 0.02, P < 0.001). TIMI frame count was negatively correlated with the tricuspid lateral annulus early diastolic velocity and the ratio of tricuspid lateral annulus early to late diastolic velocity, whereas it was positively correlated with tricuspid isovolumetric relaxation time and right ventricular myocardial performance index. Conclusion: Right ventricular diastolic dysfunction exists in patients with the coronary slow flow phenomenon and it is correlated with TIMI frame count.