The effect of alternative diastolic pressure-volume relations on transmitral Doppler flow: comparison by model-based image processing

Several mathematical expressions (linear, exponential, logarithmic) have been used to fit the measured diastolic pressure-volume (P-V) relation. We determined whether the different P-V relations could be distinguished by analysis of in-vivo physiologic data. Transmitral Doppler E-waves of 15 subjects were analyzed using model-based image processing (MBIP). One dimensional linear, logarithmic, and exponential force displacement equivalents of the P-V relation were used in our lumped-parameter kinematic model of transmitral flow for MBIP. Minimized least-square best fits of model predicted to observed Doppler E-wave flow velocity were similar regardless of choice of mathematical expression. We conclude that application of the simplest P-V relation is justified in MBIP analysis of transmitral Doppler flow.