Motion Index: a new parameter to evaluate the diastole by M-Mode imaging

Aim. Heart failure with normal left ventricle (LV) ejection fraction is commonly understood as diastolic heart failure because this expression implies the presence of LV diastolic dysfunction diagnosed by specific echocardiographic findings, such as slow LV relaxation and increased LV stiffness. In this work the authors propose a new parameter named Motion Index, which is measurable by M-Mode technique and it is likely linked to diastolic dysfunction. Methods. A patient population composed by 134 subjects was enrolled. They all were in New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class II. Echocardiogram carried out in all patients allowed the authors to distinguish 2 patient arms depending on the presence or absence of diastolic dysfunction, evaluated by flow Doppler and tissue Doppler. Results. After carrying out every echocardiographic examination, the authors also measured the new parameter that called Motion Index, and found that it had an average value of 46 in patients with normal diastolic function and 33.5 in patients with diastolic dysfunction. This parameter did not depend on systolic dysfunction. Conclusion. Data obtained showed a statistically significant correlation between Motion Index and means of diastolic function assessed by both flow and tissue Doppler.