IVRT'/IVRT index is a useful tool for detection of elevated left ventricular filling pressure in patients with preserved ejection fraction.

Objective: Deterioration of active relaxation results in prolongation of isovolumteric relaxation time (IVRT), however, when left ventricular filling pressure elevates, mitral valve opens earlier and IVRT shortens. This shortening is not seen when IVRT is measured with tissue Doppler imaging (IVRT'). Then, IVRT' prolongs with the deceleration of active relaxation independent of left ventricular filling pressure.

Evaluation of cerebral circulation in patients with significant carotid artery stenosis.

Background: A significant proportion of ischaemic stroke episodes are caused by atherosclerotic lesions in extracranial arteries. Assessment of haemodynamical profile of cerebral arteries in both symptomatic and asymptomatic patients with carotid artery stenosis is of clinical importance.

Aim: To assess haemodynamic changes in cerebral arteries in patients with significant internal carotid artery (ICA) stenosis.