Objective To investigate the effect of edgetoedge mitral valve plasty on left ventricular diastolic function and in order to find the validity and safety of this procedure. Methods From Feb. 2006 to Dec. 2007, thirty cases with mitral regurgitation were divided into two groups. Quadrangular resection was performed on fifteen cases with posterior proplapse in control group, and edgetoedge mitral valve plasty was performed on fifteen cases with anterior or bileaflet proplapse in experimental group, and ring annuloplasty(Medtronic ring) was used in both groups. The hemodynamics were monitored and recorded with SwanGanz catheter at the time of postoperation，2 h, 4 h, 6 h and 12 h after operation. Left ventricular diastolic function was also evaluated with echocardiography using color Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging in the patients with sinus rhythm. The ratio of the peak E velocity and A velocity(E/A), the ratio of the early diastolic peak flow velocity to the early diastolic mitral valve annular movement velocity(E/Em), and the ratio of early diastolic mitral valve annular movement velocity to late diastolic mitral valve annular movement velocity（Em/Am）were measured before operation and 1 week after operation respectively. Results Mitralvalve area were significantly reduced at 1 week after operation compared with that before operation in both groups (control group 3.63±1.06 cm2 vs. 7.18±2.41 cm2, experimental group 3.44±1.02 cm2 vs. 6.51±3.06 cm2, Plt;0.05）; and mitral regurgitant grade were significantly reduced at 1 week after operation in both groups as well(control group 0.53±0.64 cm2 vs.3.60±0.51 cm2, experimental group 0.67±0.82 cm2 vs.3.40±0.63 cm2, Plt;0.05). However, there was no significant difference for mitral valve area and mitral regurgitant grade between two groups before and after operation（Pgt;0.05）. In experimental group, there were no significant change of evaluations of E/A,E/Em and Em/Am before and after operation（E/A 1.28±0.36 vs. 1.95±1.06,E/Em 8.79±2.16 vs. 8.13±3.02, Em/Am 1.39±0.38 vs. 1.31±041，Pgt;0.05). There was no significant change of pulmonary artery wedge pressure (PAWP) before and after operation between two groups（13.60±4.37 mm Hg vs.12.20±3.53 mm Hg, Pgt;0.05）. Conclusion Edgetoedge mitral valve plasty technique is available and has no significant influence on left ventricular diastolic function, and a doubleorifice mitral valve has similar hemodynamic change compared with a physiological mitral valve.
Objective To observe the effects of valsartan/ hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan on left ventricular thickness and the left ventricular diastolic function in patients with essential hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy and impaired left ventricular diastolic function. Methods 56 patients of essential hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy and impaired left ventricular diastolic function were randomized into two randomized double-blind groups, valsartan/hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) 80/12.5 mg o.d were gave to A group and valsartan 80 mg o.d were gave to B group. The dosage would be doubled in patients whose SDBP ≥ 12 kPa or SSBP ≥ 18.7 kPa after 4 weeks. Treatment lasted for 6 months. Result At the end of 6 months, valsartan/ hydrochlorothiazide and valsartan significantly reduced BP from baseline (Plt;0.01), there was significant difference in reducing BP between the two groups (Plt;0.05). Indexes of left ventricular diastolic function (IVST, LVPWT, LVMI) significantly decreased (Plt;0.01). LVEF increased significantly (Plt;0.01). There was significant difference in IVST, LVPWT, LVMI and LVEF between two groups (Plt;0.05). Conclusion Valsartan/ hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) can not only decrease blood pressure effectively, but also can significantly improve left ventricular hypertrophy and left ventricular diastolic function.