Effect of losartan on exercise tolerance and echocardiographic parameters in patients with mitral regurgitation.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effects of losartan treatment on exercise tolerance and echocardiographic parameters in patients with mitral regurgitation (MR) secondary to mitral valve prolapse or rheumatic heart disease.

Methods: Twenty-seven patients (14 males, 13 females, mean age 51+/-11, range 21-76) with moderate MR due to mitral valve prolapse or rheumatic heart disease were examined by means of Doppler echocardiography. The subjects were submitted to treadmill exercise tests using the modified Bruce protocol at baseline, after six hours and after the six-week treatment period to be evaluated based on their exercise tolerance.

[Doppler index of myocardial performance and its relationship with mitral E wave deceleration time in acute Q-wave myocardial infarction].

Objective: The objectives of the study were to assess myocardial systolic and diastolic functions by myocardial performance index (MPI) and its relationship with E - wave deceleration time (DT) in early phase of acute Q-wave myocardial infarction (MI).

Methods: We performed nongeometric Doppler-derived echocardiography to assess combined systolic and diastolic functions using myocardial performance index in 50 patients with acute Q-wave MI at early phase of events, (25 pts with anterior MI and 25 pts with inferior MI). The index is defined as the sum of the isovolumic contraction and isovolumic relaxation times divided by ventricular ejection time and was obtained by Doppler measurement from the diastolic mitral inflow and left ventricular outflow velocity-time intervals.

Detection of endothelial dysfunction in preeclamptic patients by using color Doppler sonography.

Our goal in this study was to detect endothelial function in normal and preeclamptic patients by using color Doppler sonography and plasma fibronectin levels. The increased ratio of the brachial artery diameter during shear stress, and plasma fibronectin levels were measured in 15 preeclamptic and 11 normal, gestational-age matched pregnant patients. The test was repeated at the postpartum second and sixth weeks in the preeclamptic group.