Age-Related Alterations On Doppler-Derived Left-Ventricular Filling Patterns At Rest And During Exercise In Normal Subjects

In 55 normal subjects left ventricular diastolic filling patterns were assessed by pulsed Doppler echocardiography. The ratio of early to late peak diastolic flow velocities (E/A) was significantly higher at rest (1.51 vs. 1.29; p < 0.05) as well as during the exercise stress test (1.22 vs. 1.00; p < 0.05) in the group of younger subjects in comparison to older normals. Therefore the age-related changes on diastolic filling indices with a reduced early filling due to prolonged relaxation and decreased distensibility were maintained by atrial compensation even during exercise.