Resting measurement of only left ventricular systolic function, is not enough sufficient
parameter that predicts exercise capacity in patients with cardiac disease. Therefore, left
ventricular filling shortly after an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) was prospectively
studied to determine whether it could predict subsequent exercise time. Consecutive AMI
patients underwent Doppler and two-dimensional echocardiography within 48 hours of
infarction. The study group consisted of 63 participants: 33 patients with an uncomplicated
AMI who had undergone symptom-limited stress testing during recovery and 30
healthy subjects. Systolic function was evaluated by wall motion score index (WMSI), and
diastolic one was assessed by the peak transmitral Doppler velocity in early diastole (E)
and atrial systole (A), then by their ratio (E/A), normalized E/A ratio, and by diastolic filling
period (DFP). Myocardial infarction (MI) size was measured electrocardiographically,
using Selvester’s QRS scoring system (QRSSI) and then expressed in percentages. Healthy
participants and patients were compared, through common parameters. The patients receiving
BB treatment at the time of exercise testing, had a lower resting pulse, and achieved
a lower maximal pulse, yet their exercise time was similar incomparison to that of the
group not receiving BB therapy. Our results have shown a strong positive correlation between
exercise time and WMSI (r = 0.77, p < 0.001) DFP (r = 0.56, p < 0,001), respectively
weak negative correlation with QRSSI (r = –0.17, p < 0.001) and better negative correlation
with normalized E/A ratio (r = –0.56, p < 0.001). This correlation was not influenced
by beta-blokers (BB) at the time of stress testing. Normalized E/A ratio and DFP
are the only diastolic function parameters, which predict exercise capacity during recovery,
measured soon after an uncomplicated AMI
