Left ventricular blood filling was performed in 72 patients by using pulsed Doppler echocardiography at rest and in postpacing ischemia. In 10 patients, non-invasive examination findings were compared with the values of a left ventricular pressure curve which had been obtained in frequent atrial pacing. No changes in transmitral blood flow were found in patients without coronary heart disease, whereas 2 types of abnormal transmitral blood flow were detected in those with coronary heart disease in the postpacing period. The patients with Type I abnormal transmitral blood flow exhibited prolonged isovolumetric relaxation and slightly elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure in the postpacing period when catheterization was conducted. Those with Type I ("pseudonormal") transmitral blood flow displayed more prolonged relaxation and significantly (greater than 20 mm Hg) evelated end-diastolic pressure. The pattern of changes in transmitral blood flow was not pathognomonic to any definite myocardial abnormality, but reflected the hemodynamics.

Left ventricular blood filling was performed in 72 patients by using pulsed Doppler echocardiography at rest and in postpacing ischemia. In 10 patients, non-invasive examination findings were compared with the values of a left ventricular pressure curve which had been obtained in frequent atrial pacing. No changes in transmitral blood flow were found in patients without coronary heart disease, whereas 2 types of abnormal transmitral blood flow were detected in those with coronary heart disease in the postpacing period. The patients with Type I abnormal transmitral blood flow exhibited prolonged isovolumetric relaxation and slightly elevated left ventricular end-diastolic pressure in the postpacing period when catheterization was conducted. Those with Type I ("pseudonormal") transmitral blood flow displayed more prolonged relaxation and significantly (greater than 20 mm Hg) elevated end-diastolic pressure. The pattern of changes in transmitral blood flow was not pathognomonic to any definite myocardial abnormality, but reflected the hemodynamics.