This study attempted to examine the relation of left ventricular filling patterns to
hemodynamic status and left atrial function in dilated cardiomyopathy. Transesophageal
echocardiography and cardiac catheterization were performed in 41 patients with dilated
cardiomyopathy (six with an ischemic origin). Transmitral, left atrial appendage, and
pulmonary venous flow velocities were recorded with the pulsed Doppler method. Left atrial
systolic function was assessed by the peak velocity of the left atrial appendage emptying …