Does E/A ratio correctly estimate diastolic dysfunction in patients with chronic renal failure?
Department of Internal Medicine, Ulyanovsk State University, Central City Hospital, Ulyanovsk, Russian Federation Sir, In the December 1999 issue of NDT, Klingbeil and Schmieder [1] presented an editorial comment on left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in chronic renal failure (CRF). Diastolic dysfunction due to LVH and some other factors is a common finding in these patients. We agree that ratio of early to late diastolic filling (E/A) is the most common parameter used for estimation of diastolic function in clinical practice. However, patients with CRF commonly have anaemia and haemorheological abnormalities which can influence on diastolic filling. Therefore, the question is whether the E/A ratio is a correct parameter . . .
