Aim: We studied the results of an all-carbon monoleaflet valve prosthesis (the Omnicarbon) in a North American population.
Methods: Patients were recalled to our valve clinic for complete evaluation, including echocardiography, laboratory tests, and physician examination. This experience includes 108 Omnicarbon valve implants.
Because it appears to be less affected by changes in preload, mitral annulus Doppler tissue imaging (DTI) has been proposed as an alternate mean of identifying pseudonormal patterns of left ventricular filling. We thus studied the practical implications of DTI in 40 patients classified according to the Canadian Consensus on Diastolic Function (9 control participants, 9 with impaired relaxation, and 22 pseudonormal participants). Using DTI, the early diastolic velocity (Ea) was the most reproducible parameter whereas the late diastolic velocity (Aa) and Ea/Aa ratio varied significantly.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF