[Significance of pulmonary vein flow for the determination of left ventricular filling pressure].

The aim of the submitted study was to evaluate the blood flow in the pulmonary veins by transoesophageal Doppler echocardiography which is the ideal method for recording the blood flow in the pulmonary veins as the ultrasound probe is closely behind the left atrium. In 35 patients with ischaemic heart disease the authors evaluated the blood flow in the pulmonary veins to assess whether the rate of the blood flow in these vessels can serve a non-invasive estimate of the end-diastolic pressure in the left ventricle (LVEDP). It was revealed that venous blood flow has in the majority of cases two anterior peaks during ventricular systole, one anterior peak during diastole and one negative peak during atrial contraction. In patients with normal LVEDP the peak rate and integral time-velocity of the flow curve is greater during systole, while in patients with a higher LVEDP these parameters are higher during diastole. Dopplerian assessment of the flow in the pulmonary veins is safe, relatively non-invasive and simple. This method makes possible rapid visual estimates of the end-diastolic pressure in the left ventricle.