C. Höglund

Atrioventricular plane displacement in severe congestive heart failure following dilated cardiomyopathy or myocardial infarction

Abstract. Echocardiographic recording of the atrioventricular (AV) plane displacement during the cardiac cycle was used to assess left ventricular (LV) global function in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF). The study population consisted of 70 patients with chronic CHF (NYHA functional groups III and IV) following dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) or myocardial infarction (MI), and 35 age‐matched healthy subjects. The AV plane displacement was recorded from the apical 4‐ and 2‐chamber views at four LV sites located about 90 degrees apart and representing the septal, anterior, lateral and posterior parts of the LV wall. A mean value was calculated from the above sites (AV‐mean). Patients with CHF showed a significant generalized reduction of AV plane displacement compared to healthy subjects (5.6 mm vs. 14.5 mm, P < 0.001). Thirty CHF patients also underwent radionuclide angiography in order to determine the ejection fraction (EF). The correlation between AV‐mean and EF was good (r=0.82, P < 0.001). The selection of an AV‐mean of < 7 mm to define a severely depressed LV function (EF < 30%) gave a sensitivity of 92% and a specificity of 67%. It is concluded that the AV plane displacement can be used to estimate LV systolic function in patients with CHF.

Assessment by echocardiogram of left ventricular diastolic function in healthy subjects using the atrioventricular plane displacement

Abstract Recent echocardiographic studies have shown that the atrioventricular (AV) valve plane displacement toward the apex in systole plays an important role in the pump function of the left ventricle. 1–6 The method of recording the AV plane displacement is simple and the magnitude of the AV plane displacement can be used to assess left ventricular systolic function in patients with acute myocardial infarction, coronary artery disease and severe chronic congestive heart failure. 5–7 At the start of diastole, the AV plane begins to ascend rapidly toward the atrium away from the apex. Atrial systole also contributes to ventricular filling by further displacing the AV plane in the same direction, and this is noticed in the last part of the diastolic phase of AV plane displacement and is associated with the P wave of the electrocardiogram. 8 The purpose of this study was to evaluate the diastolic function in healthy control subjects of different age groups by relating the motion of the AV plane due to atrial systole to the total diastolic ascent of the AV plane.

Effects of acute myocardial infarction on the displacement of the atrioventricular plane: an echocardiographic study

Abstract Höglund C, Alam M, Thorstrand C (Section of Cardiology. Department of Medicine I, Karolinska Institute at Södersjukhuset (South Hospital), Stockholm, Sweden). Effects of acute myocardial infarction on the displacement of the atrioventricular plane: an echocardiographic study.

Comparability of echocardiography and chest X-ray following myocardial infarction

Abstract Alam M. Rosenhamer G. Höglund C (Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine I. Karolinska Institute at Södersjukhuset (South Hospital), Stockholm. Sweden). Comparability of echocardiography and chest X‐ray following myocardial infarction.