In children with persistent ductus arteriosus increased pulmonary flow leads to left ventricular volume overload, which may affect systolic and diastolic performance. The aim of our study was to assess left ventricular systolic and diastolic function by means of echocardiography with Doppler evaluation of blood flow in children with persistent ductus arteriosus prior to and after surgery. The study included children with persistent ductus arteriosus. Investigations were carried out prior to surgery, and at 10 days, 6 months and 2 years after the operation. In children with persistent ductus arteriosus no left ventricular systolic dysfunction is found either prior to or after surgery. Examination shows increased velocities of the E and A waves with a maintained normal ratio, which is indicative of increased left ventricular volume load. A decreased time of the ascent and descent of the E wave and a considerable rise in its acceleration and delay values in children prior to ligation of the persistent ductus arteriosus are suggestive of increased left ventricular compliance due to an augmented blood inflow. Atfer 10 days and 6 months following the ligation a significant reduction in the E wave velocity, and proportionately smaller in that of the A wave, are present, which seems to imply rather decreased left ventricular preload than an impaired systolic function. Two years after the surgical procedure the children show complete normalization of all the evaluated parameters of the transmitral blood flow.

Keywords: persistent ductus arteriosus, left ventricle, Echocardiography, Doppler technique