Pseudoexfoliation syndrome and asymptomatic myocardial dysfunction

Abstract

Background The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency of asymptomatic left ventricular dysfunction in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome. Methods Two-dimensional and pulsed Doppler echocardiography of transmitral flow was performed on 27 patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome, aged 66.9±5.6 years, and 24 healthy volunteers aged 63.9±6.5 years. Left ventricular (LV) systolic contraction and ejection were assessed by LV ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS). LV diastolic filling parameters tested were: early fast diastolic filling (E wave), late diastolic filling (A wave), ratio E/A, velocity time integral E wave (VTIE) and A wave (VTIA), their ratio (VTIE/VTIA), pressure at the end of filling (LVEDP) and a pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP). Results Systolic parameters EF and FS, diastolic filling parameters such as A, LVEDP and PCWP were not significantly different between patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome and controls (P>0.05). A significant difference (P<0.05) was found with regard to the diastolic filling parameters: E (61.6±15.1 vs 83.7±21.4), ratio E/A (0.8±0.1 vs 1.1±0.2), VTIE (8.6±1.8 vs 9.8±1.9), VTIA (10.3±2.4 vs 7.8±1.6) and ratio VTIA/VTIE (1.2±0.2 vs 0.8±0.2). Conclusion Our study suggests the possibility of an association between patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome and a discrete asymptomatic myocardial diastolic dysfunction.