Abstract

In order to measure the effect of a decrease in preload on systolic time intervals and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD) measured by echocardiography, eight healthy young subjects were given 40 mg frusemide intravenously. The pre-ejection period index (PEPI) increased and the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter decreased. A correlation between delta PEPI and delta LVEDD was shown. Using changes in systolic time intervals in the evaluation of changes in contractility it is important to correct for changes in preload. For normal subjects it is suggested that the relation between delta PEPI and delta LVEDD as a percentage of the mean values should be used for this correction. A method is suggested for estimating the changes in pre-ejection period index induced by changes in left ventricular end-diastolic diameter.