Effects of verapamil in normal elderly individuals with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction

Ming Jui Hung, Wen-Chin Cherng*, Chao Hung Wang, Li Tang Kuo

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

Treatment with oral verapamil for 3 to 4 days has been found to enhance left ventricular (LV) diastolic filling in elderly subjects as assessed by radionuclide angiography. However, there are no Doppler echocardiographic studies to assess the long-term effect of verapamil in normal elderly subjects. Thirteen healthy elderly subjects (mean age, 64 ± 7 years; 8 men and 5 women) with LV diastolic dysfunction underwent this placebo-controlled cross-over trial. The effect of verapamil on LV diastolic function was assessed by treadmill exercise test and Doppler echocardiography at baseline, and after each 3-month treatment period (placebo or verapamil 120 mg once daily), separated by a 1-week washout period before cross-over. Blood pressure, heart rate, LV ejection fraction, LV mass, and cardiac output were unaltered by placebo or verapamil. The exercise time was similar at baseline (11.4 ± 2.4 min) and after placebo treatment (11.4 ± 2.3 min) but significantly increased (P < 0.05) after verapamil treatment (12.3 ± 2.0 min). The ratio of mitral A wave duration/pulmonary venous atrial systolic reversal duration increased after verapamil treatment (1.12 ± 0.08) compared to placebo (0.93 ± 0.06, P < 0.05) and baseline (0.89 ± 0.09), which had similar durations. The isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) was significantly decreased (P < 0.05) from 85 ± 13 msec at baseline and 87 ± 13 msec with placebo to 73 ± 9 msec with verapamil. The results of this study suggest that in normal elderly patients with Doppler evidence of diastolic dysfunction, 3 months treatment with verapamil can increase exercise tolerance and improve LV diastolic function.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)123-129
Number of pages7
JournalEchocardiography
Volume18
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 2001

Keywords

  • Aging
  • Diastolic function
  • Verapamil

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Effects of verapamil in normal elderly individuals with left ventricular diastolic dysfunction'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this