Background-The relation between remodeling and left ventricular (LV) diastolic function has not yet been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to determine whether early assessment of Doppler-derived mitral deceleration time (DT), a measure of LV compliance and filling, may predict progressive LV dilation after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods and Results-Fifty-one patients (aged 61 +/- 11 years; 6 women) with anterior AMI successfully treated with direct coronary angioplasty underwent 2-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic examinations within 24 hours of admission, at days 3, 7, and 30 and 6 months after the index infarction. Mitral flow velocities were obtained from the apical 4-chamber view with pulsed Doppler. End-diastolic Volume index (EDVI) and end-systolic volume index (ESVI) were calculated with the Simpson's rule algorithm. Patients were divided according to the DT duration assessed at day 3 in 2 groups: group 1 (n=33) with DT >130 ms and group 2 (n=18) with DT less than or equal to 30 ms. Patency and restenosis rate at 6 months were similar between the 2 groups (94% group 1 vs 89% group 2; P=0.52; 27% group 1 vs 33% group 2; P=0.64, respectively). LV volume indexes were similar in both groups at baseline (EDVI: 71 +/- 3 group 1 vs 70 +/- 3 mL/m(2) group 2, P=0.42; ESVI: 43 +/- 3 group 1 vs 48 +/- 3 ml,/m(2) group 2, P=0.13, respectively). From day 3 on, LV volume indexes progressively increased in group 2 and were significantly larger than those of group 1 at 6 months (LVEDVI 61 +/- 3 group 1 vs 104 +/- 6 mL/m(2) group 2, P=0.00001; LVESVI 31 +/- 3 group 1 vs 73 +/- 6 mL/m(2) group 2, P=0.00001, respectively). A significant inverse correlation was found between DT and changes in EDVI at 6 months (r=-0.68; P < 0.0000001). By stepwise multiple regression analysis among several clinical, demographic, angiographic, and echocardiographic variables, DT was the most powerful predictor of EDVI changes at 6 months (P=0.02). Conclusions-These data suggest that early estimation (day 3) of Doppler-derived mitral DT provides a simple and accurate mean to predict late LV dilation after reperfused AMI.
