Assessment of left ventricular diastolic suction using wave-intensity analysis

Abstract

Left ventricular diastolic suction (LV DS) is defined as the property of the LV to refill itself during early diastole, independent of any force from the left atrium (LA). Two different mechanisms have been developed to explain this phenomenon. The first mechanism relates DS to the decrease in L V elastance. The second theory, relates DS to negative L V pressure, suggesting that the smaller the end-systolic volume, the greater the DS. In an attempt to reconcile these two mechanisms, wave-intensity analysis was used. The purpose of this study was to illustrate that Iw-BE (L V generated backward expansion wave) depends on both decreasing elastance and the L Vend-systolic volume. It was found that the energy ofLV DS is inversely proportional to -c and LV end-systolic volume. From these data a 3-D plot was formed demonstrating the non-linear dependence of L V DS on both of these variables.