[Echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular function in patients after myocardial infarction treated with enalapril].

The studies were carried out in 30 patients (24 men and six women) aged 40-56 years, mean age 51 years after myocardial infarction in whom enalapril in doses 5-10 mg daily, mean dose 8,5 mg daily was added to drugs used as yet. This drug was administered for six weeks. The patients had myocardial infarction 6-18 months before their inclusion to the studies. In all patients two-dimensional echocardiographic and Doppler examinations were performed twice: before and after the treatment with enalapril. Left ventricular contractility disturbances and the following parameters were analysed: maximal early diastolic filling rate (EDF), maximal late diastolic filling rate (LDF), EDF/LDF ratio and early diastolic deceleration time (dec. EDF) and early diastolic slope (EF sl.). Enalapril administered in patients after myocardial infarction caused an increase of ejection fraction and increase of the contractility of left ventricular muscle segments not involved by necrosis. It exerted, however, no effect on the changes of contractility index. After the treatment with enalapril the maximal late diastolic filling rate (LDF) was significantly decreased while early diastolic deceleration slope (EF sl.) was significantly increased. The observed influence of enalapril on the left ventricular filling profile may suggest an improvement of left ventricular diastolic function.