Abstract:

Objective To evaluate ventricular function of the travelers who rushed into high lands with echocardiography quantitatively. Methods Routine echocardiography was performed in the 44 cases of people who rushed into high land(Yushu, with an average altitude more than 4200 meters) and 24 cases of control subjects in plain who are age-and sex-matched, while myocardial performance index(Tei index) of left and right ventricular myocardium were measured using tissue doppler(TDl). Student T test was used for statistical analysis. Results Compared with the plain control group, systolic pulmonary artery pressure increased(P<0.01) in high land group, while the differences in the atrial and ventricular diameters of left and right heart, left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF), fractional area change(FAC) of right ventricular were not statistically significant. TDl analysis showed that compared with the plain control group, left ventricular myocardial contractility and overall function were reduced in high land group, namely peak early diastolic mitral annular velocity(Em) significantly reduced, and left ventricular Tei index significantly increased(P<0.01). There were no significant difference in tricuspid peak velocity(Em) and right ventricular Tei index between these 2 groups. Conclusion Left ventricular dysfunction of high land people be detected early, safely, and noninvasively with echocardiography.

Key words: echocardiography, tissue doppler, ventricular function, plateau