Frequency of the R3500Q mutation of the apolipoprotein B-100 gene in a sample screened clinically for familial hypercholesterolemia in Hungary.

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) and familial defective apolipoprotein B-100 (FDB) cause early onset of coronary heart diseases (CHD). According to the recommendations of the international MEDPED program, we tried to find FH cases. We analyzed 73 FH probands and their 304 first-degree relatives.

Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular relaxation in patients with coronary artery disease.

The time constant of the left ventricular isovolumic pressure decline (Tc) was determined according to the Weiss equation in 23 patients with chest pain who underwent cardiac catheterization. Out of them 15 patients had significant coronary artery stenosis (CAD). Tc was compared to 21 diastolic Doppler data derived from the transmitral inflow.

[Examination of the diastolic function of the left ventricle by Doppler echocardiography in coronary disease].

The authors examined the left ventricular diastolic function at rest and in pain-free period in patients with chest pain but without previous myocardial infarction. Two patient group were formed according to the results of coronarography: 15 patients had significant coronary artery stenosis, while the coronarography was negative in case of 11 patients. Four Doppler echocardiographic parameters were taken and their sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values were determined on the base of the result of the coronarography.

[Comparative study of digitalized M-mode and Doppler echocardiography in assessing left ventricular function].

The systolic and diastolic functions were examined using digitized M-mode and Doppler echocardiography in 27 patients with previous myocardial infarction and in 20 healthy subjects. Both methods separated well the patients from the control group but their difference was significantly greater when the ventricular function was assessed with Doppler parametres, digitized M-mode and Doppler echocardiographical results were controlled for possible correlations, but only time intervals showed significant correlations. The highest correlation was found between the values for isovolumic relaxation period.

[Determination of the diastolic function of the left ventricle in post-infarction patients using a complex echocardiographic index].

The diastolic function of 25 patients with ischemic heart disease was studied by both digitized M-mode and Doppler echocardiography. The control groups were a group of healthy subjects and patients with hypertension, resp. There was a significant difference in the diastolic parametres of the healthy and the diseased groups.

[Reproducibility of the Doppler spectrum of the left ventricular stroke volume].

The left ventricular stroke volume was determined in 15 healthy male volunteers of the same age (21-23 yrs). The systolic function was characterized by six, the diastolic function by five parameters. The diameter and the cross-sectional areas of the outflow tract were determined.