Prospective Study on Diagnostic Performance of Color Doppler Ultrasound Using Trans-stenotic Mean Arterial Pressure Gradient as a Reference in Stented Superior Mesenteric Artery.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of color Doppler ultrasound (CDU) after stenting of superior mesenteric artery (SMA) stenosis using mean arterial pressure (MAP) gradients as a reference method. METHODS: This is a prospective study. Thirty-one patients underwent 51 paired measurements of MAP gradients and CDU after endovascular intervention with endoprosthesis in the SMA for mesenteric atherosclerotic disease between March 2009 and July 2016. RESULTS: Peak systolic velocities (PSVs; r = 0.44, P = 0.001) and end-diastolic velocities (EDVs; r = 0.59, P < 0.001) correlated with MAP gradients. The area under the receiver-operating characteristics curve for diagnosis of significant in-stent stenosis for different threshold values of PSV and EDV using MAP gradient of ≥10 mm Hg as reference was 0.75 and 0.80, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for PSV >3.3 m/s were 43.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] 23.2-63.7) and 92.9% (95% CI 83.3-100.0), respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for EDV >0.50 m/s were 63.6% (95% CI 43.5-83.7) and 92.3% (95% CI 82.1-100.0), respectively. Specificity and positive predictive value were both 100% for combined PSV >3.0 m/s and EDV >0.5 m/s. CONCLUSIONS: PSV and EDV were equally useful in evaluation of significant SMA stent stenosis, when using trans-stenotic MAP gradient as reference. Finding of a significant stenosis on CDU should be considered as a true significant SMA stent stenosis.

Effect of food intake on myocardial performance index.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial performance index (MPI) has been investigated in a variety of populations, but the effect of food intake has not been evaluated. We assessed whether myocardial performance index is affected by food intake in healthy subjects. METHODS: Twenty-three healthy subjects aged 25.6 ± 4.5 years were investigated. MPI was measured before, 30 min after, and 110 min after a standardized meal. RESULTS: MPI decreased significantly (P < 0.05) from fasting values 30 min after the meal, and had almost returned to baseline after 110 min. MPI decreased from 0.28 ± 0.06 (fasting) to 0.20 ± 0.07 30 min after eating. At 110 min after eating the index value was almost back to the baseline value 0.26 ± 0.06. (P = 0.15). CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that myocardial performance index is affected by food intake in healthy subjects.

Effect of food intake on left ventricular wall stress.

OBJECTIVE: Left ventricular wall stress has been investigated in a variety of populations, but the effect of food intake has not been evaluated. We assessed whether left ventricular wall stress is affected by food intake in healthy subjects. METHODS: Twenty-three healthy subjects aged 25.6 ± 4.5 years were investigated. Meridional end-systolic wall stress (ESS) and circumferential end-systolic wall stress (cESS) were measured before, 30 minutes after, and 110 minutes after a standardised meal. RESULTS: Both ESS and cESS decreased significantly (P < 0.001) from fasting values 30 minutes after the meal, and had not returned to baseline after 110 minutes. ESS decreased from 65 ± 16 kdynes/cm2 (fasting) to 44 ± 12 kdynes/cm2 30 minutes after, and to 58 ± 13 kdynes/cm2 110 minutes after eating. cESS decreased from 98 ± 24 kdynes/cm2 to 67 ± 18 kdynes/cm2 30 minutes after, and to 87 ± 19 kdynes/cm2 110 minutes after the meal. CONCLUSION: This study shows that left ventricular wall stress is affected by food intake in healthy subjects.

Relationship between postprandial changes in cardiac left ventricular function, glucose and insulin concentrations, gastric emptying, and satiety in healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND: The digestion of food is known to alter the hemodynamics of the body significantly. The purpose of this study was to study the postprandial changes in stroke volume (SV), cardiac output (CO) and left ventricular (LV) longitudinal systolic and diastolic functions measured with tissue Doppler imaging, in relation to gastric emptying rate (GER), satiety, and glucose and insulin concentrations in healthy subjects. METHODS: Twenty-three healthy subjects were included in this study. The fasting and postprandial changes at 30 min and 110 min in CO, heart rate (HR) and blood pressure were measured. Moreover, tissue Doppler imaging systolic (S'), early (E') and late (A') mitral annular diastolic velocities were measured in the septal (s) and lateral (l) walls. Glucose and insulin concentrations, and satiety were measured before and 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min after the start of the meal. The GER was calculated as the percentage change in the antral cross-sectional area 15-90 min after ingestion of the meal. RESULTS: This study show that both CO, systolic longitudinal ventricular velocity of the septum (S's) and lateral wall (S'l), the early diastolic longitudinal ventricular velocity of the lateral wall (E'l), the late diastolic longitudinal ventricular velocity of the septum (A's) and lateral wall (A'l) increase significantly, and were concomitant with increased satiety, antral area, glucose and insulin levels. The CO, HR and SV at 30 min were significantly higher, and the diastolic blood pressure was significantly lower, than the fasting. The satiety was correlated to HR and diastolic blood pressure. The insulin level was correlated to HR. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that postprandial CO, HR, SV and LV longitudinal systolic and diastolic functions increase concomitantly with increased satiety, antral area, and glucose and insulin levels. Therefore, patients should not eat prior to, or during, cardiac evaluation as the effects of a meal may affect the results and their interpretation.

The effect of endogenously released glucose, insulin, glucagon-like peptide 1, ghrelin on cardiac output, heart rate, stroke volume, and blood pressure.

BACKGROUND: Ingestion of a meal increases the blood flow to the gastrointestinal organs and affects the heart rate (HR), blood pressure and cardiac output (CO), although the mechanisms are not known. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of endogenously released glucose, insulin, glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), ghrelin on CO, HR, stroke volume (SV), and blood pressure. METHODS: Eleven healthy men and twelve healthy women ((mean ± SEM) aged: 26 ± 0.2 y; body mass index: 21.8 ± 0.1 kg/m(2))) were included in this study. The CO, HR, SV, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, antral area, gastric emptying rate, and glucose, insulin, GLP-1 and ghrelin levels were measured. RESULTS: The CO and SV at 30 min were significantly higher, and the diastolic blood pressure was significantly lower, than the fasting in both men and women (P < 0.05). In men, significant correlations were found between GLP-1 level at 30 min and SV at 30 min (P = 0.015, r = 0.946), and between ghrelin levels and HR (P = 0.013, r = 0.951) at 110 min. Significant correlations were also found between the change in glucose level at 30 min and the change in systolic blood pressure (P = 0.021, r = -0.681), and the change in SV (P = 0.008, r = -0.748) relative to the fasting in men. The insulin 0-30 min AUC was significantly correlated to the CO 0-30 min AUC (P = 0.002, r = 0.814) in men. Significant correlations were also found between the 0-120 min ghrelin and HR AUCs (P = 0.007, r = 0.966) in men. No statistically significant correlations were seen in women. CONCLUSIONS: Physiological changes in the levels of glucose, insulin, GLP-1 and ghrelin may influence the activity of the heart and the blood pressure. There may also be gender-related differences in the haemodynamic responses to postprandial changes in hormone levels. The results of this study show that subjects should not eat immediately prior to, or during, the evaluation of cardiovascular interventions as postprandial affects may affect the results, leading to erroneous interpretation of the cardiovascular effects of the primary intervention. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT01027507.

Effect of food intake on commonly used pulsed Doppler and tissue Doppler measurements.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the effect of food intake on commonly used pulsed Doppler and tissue Doppler measurements. METHODS: Twenty-three healthy subjects aged 25.6 ± 4.5 years were investigated. A wide selection of pulsed Doppler and tissue Doppler variables were measured before a standardized meal as well as and 30 and 110 minutes afterwards. RESULTS: The following variables increased significantly (P < 0.05) 30 minutes after food intake: left ventricular stroke volume, left ventricular cardiac output, left ventricular outflow velocity-time integral, peak of early diastolic (E) and late diastolic (A) mitral flow velocities, pulmonary vein peak velocities in systole (S) and in diastole (D), S/D, pulsed tissue Doppler peak systolic velocities, and late diastolic velocities. Deceleration time of E-wave decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The change in measured variables between fasting and 30 minutes after the food intake ranged from 7% to 28%. There were no significant (P > 0.05) changes in E/A, early diastolic tissue Doppler velocities (e'), and E/e'. Most, but not all variables returned to baseline values 110 minutes after food intake. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that food intake affects several echocardiographic variables used to routinely assess diastolic function and hemodynamics. Further studies are warranted in older healthy subjects and in patients with various cardiac diseases to determine whether the findings are reproducible in such populations.

Effect of commercial rye whole-meal bread on postprandial blood glucose and gastric emptying in healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND: The intake of dietary fibre has been shown to reduce the risk of developing diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of commercial rye whole-meal bread containing whole kernels and white wheat bread on the rate of gastric emptying and postprandial glucose response in healthy subjects. METHODS: Ten healthy subjects took part in a blinded crossover trial. Blood glucose level and gastric emptying rate (GER) were determined after the ingestion of 150 g white wheat bread or 150 g whole-meal rye bread on two different occasions after fasting overnight. The GER was measured using real-time ultrasonography, and was calculated as the percentage change in antral cross-sectional area 15 and 90 minutes after completing the meal. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was found between the GER values or the blood glucose levels following the two meals when evaluated with the Wilcoxon signed rank sum test. CONCLUSION: The present study revealed no difference in postprandial blood glucose response or gastric emptying after the ingestion of rye whole-meal bread compared with white wheat bread.

Effect of food intake on 92 oncological biomarkers by the Proseek Oncology II panel.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluates the effect of food intake on 92 oncological biomarkers to evaluate whether the timing of blood sampling could be relevant. Twenty-two healthy subjects were investigated. A total of 92 biomarkers were measured before a standardised meal as well as 30 and 120 min afterwards with the Proseek Multiplex Oncology II kit. RESULTS: The levels of 6 biomarkers decreased significantly (P < 0.001) 30 min after food intake, and 4 biomarkers remained decreased (P < 0.001) 120 min after food intake. One biomarker was significantly increased (P < 0.001) at both 30 and 120 min after food intake. Some changes were less than 10%. Those biomarkers that showed a difference of more than 10% include: Granzyme H (13%), Methionine aminopeptidase 2 (14%), Secretory carrier-associated membrane protein 3 (39%), FAS-associated death domain protein (41%), and Pancreatic prohormone (79%). This study shows that food intake has a very modest effect on 92 different oncological biomarkers. Trial registration National Library of Medicine trial registration number NCT01027507 (retrospectively registered on December 8, 2009).

Effect of muesli with 4 g oat beta-glucan on postprandial blood glucose, gastric emptying and satiety in healthy subjects: a randomized crossover trial.

OBJECTIVE: Products enriched with oat beta-glucan have been shown to reduce postprandial glucose and insulinemic responses. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of an extruded muesli product based on oat beta-glucan on the rate of gastric emptying, postprandial blood glucose and satiety in healthy subjects. METHODS: Gastric emptying rate (GER) was measured by standardized real-time ultrasonography. Twelve healthy subjects were assessed using a randomized crossover double blind trial. The meals were administered after 8 hours' fasting after measuring the subject's normal fasting blood glucose level. Blood glucose measurements were made before, 30 and 60 min after the end of the meal. Satiety scores were estimated 15 and 90 min after the end of the meal. The GER was calculated as the percentage change in the antral cross-sectional area 15 and 90 minutes after ingestion of vanilla yoghurt with muesli containing 4 g oat beta-glucan (GER1) or vanilla yoghurt with muesli containing cornflakes (GER2). RESULTS: The median values were 60% for GER1 and 44% for GER2. The effect of 4 g oat beta-glucan on the rate of gastric emptying was not statistically significant compared with corn flakes. Muesli with 4 g oat beta-glucan lowered the postprandial glucose response significantly compared to the cornflakes meal (p = 0.045). The effect of oat beta-glucan on satiety was not statistically significantly. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that intake of muesli with 4 g oat beta-glucan does not affect the gastric emptying rate or satiety but lowers the postprandial blood glucose response, indicating that the GER does not regulate the blood glucose level.

The botanical integrity of wheat products influences the gastric distention and satiety in healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND: Maintenance of the botanical integrity of cereal kernels and the addition of acetic acid (as vinegar) in the product or meal has been shown to lower the postprandial blood glucose and insulin response and to increase satiety. However, the mechanism behind the benefits of acetic acid on blood glucose and satiety is not clear. We hypothesized that the gastric emptying rate could be involved. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the possible influence of maintained botanical integrity of cereals and the presence of acetic acid (vinegar) on gastric emptying rate (GER), postprandial blood glucose and satiety. METHODS: Fifteen healthy subjects were included in a blinded crossover trial, and thirteen of the subjects completed the study. Equicarbohydrate amounts of the following wheat-based meals were studied: white wheat bread, whole-kernel wheat bread or wholemeal wheat bread served with white wine vinegar. The results were compared with a reference meal consisting of white wheat bread without vinegar. The GER was measured with standardized real-time ultrasonography using normal fasting blood glucose <6.1 mmol/l or plasma glucose <7.0 mmol/l as an inclusion criterion. The GER was calculated as the percentage change in the antral cross-sectional area 15 and 90 minutes after ingestion of the various meals. Satiety scores were estimated and blood glucose was measured before and 15, 30, 45, 60, 90 and 120 min after the start of the meal. RESULTS: The whole-kernel wheat bread with vinegar resulted in significantly higher (<0.05) satiety than the wholemeal wheat bread and white wheat bread with vinegar and the reference bread. Wheat fiber present in the wholemeal wheat bread, or the presence of wheat kernels per se, did not affect the postprandial blood glucose or GER significantly compared with white wheat bread, neither did the addition of vinegar to white bread affect these variables. There was no correlation found between the satiety with antral areas or GER CONCLUSION: The present study shows higher satiety after a whole-kernel wheat bread meal with vinegar. This may be explained by increased antral distension after ingestion of intact cereal kernels but, in this study, not by a lower gastric emptying rate or higher postprandial blood glucose response. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NTR1116.

Postpartum thromboembolism: severe events might be preventable using a new risk score model.

BACKGROUND: Pregnancy-related venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality. A new risk assessment model for VTE in relation to pregnancy has been introduced in Sweden. We wished to determine the proportion of preventable VTE cases if the model had been in use and make a brief cost-benefit analysis. METHODS: A hospital-based retrospective case-control study of all postpartum thromboembolic instances of deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms during a 16-year period. Large anamnestic risk factors at the time of delivery were assessed. We correlated the findings with the new Swedish guidelines for thromboprophylaxis. RESULTS: We found 37 cases of postpartum VTE during the study period. Nineteen of all VTE cases (51%) and eight out of eleven of cases of pulmonary embolism (73%) had two or more large anamnestic risk factors, ie, they would have been subjected to thromboprophylaxis if the new guidelines had been used. The cost of each preventable VTE was lower than treating a VTE. CONCLUSION: Approximately one-half of postpartum VTE cases and 70% of pulmonary emboli cases have at least two large risk factors and might be preventable using the new algorithm. From the perspective of the health care system the new recommendations appears to be cost-effective.

Effect of cinnamon on postprandial blood glucose, gastric emptying, and satiety in healthy subjects.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies of patients with type 2 diabetes showed that cinnamon lowers fasting serum glucose, triacylglycerol, and LDL- and total cholesterol concentrations. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to study the effect of cinnamon on the rate of gastric emptying, the postprandial blood glucose response, and satiety in healthy subjects. DESIGN: The gastric emptying rate (GER) was measured by using standardized real-time ultrasonography. Fourteen healthy subjects were assessed by using a crossover trial. The subjects were examined after an 8-h fast if they had normal fasting blood glucose concentrations. GER was calculated as the percentage change in the antral cross-sectional area 15-90 min after ingestion of 300 g rice pudding (GER1) or 300 g rice pudding and 6 g cinnamon (GER2). RESULTS: The median value of GER1 was 37%, and that of GER2 was 34.5%. The addition of cinnamon to the rice pudding significantly delayed gastric emptying and lowered the postprandial glucose response (P < 0.05 for both). The reduction in the postprandial blood glucose concentration was much more noticeable and pronounced than was the lowering of the GER. The effect of cinnamon on satiety was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: The intake of 6 g cinnamon with rice pudding reduces postprandial blood glucose and delays gastric emptying without affecting satiety. Inclusion of cinnamon in the diet lowers the postprandial glucose response, a change that is at least partially explained by a delayed GER.

Effect of apple cider vinegar on delayed gastric emptying in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies on healthy people show that vinegar delays gastric emptying and lowers postprandial blood glucose and insulin levels. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of apple cider vinegar on delayed gastric emptying rate on diabetes mellitus patients. METHODS: Ten patients with type 1 diabetes and diabetic gastroparesis, including one patient who had undergone vagotomy, were included and completed the investigator blinded crossover trial. The gastric emptying rate (GER) was measured using standardized real-time ultrasonography. The GER was calculated as the percentage change in the antral cross-sectional area 15 and 90 minutes after ingestion of 300 g rice pudding and 200 ml water (GER1), or 300 g rice pudding and 200 ml water with 30 ml apple cider vinegar (GER2). The subjects drank 200 ml water daily before breakfast one week before the measurement of GER1. The same subjects drank 200 ml water with 30 ml vinegar daily before breakfast for two weeks before the measurement of GER2. RESULTS: The median values of GER1 and GER2 were 27% and 17%, respectively. The effect of vinegar on the rate of gastric emptying was statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: This study shows that vinegar affects insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients with diabetic gastroparesis by reducing the gastric emptying rate even further, and this might be a disadvantage regarding to their glycaemic control. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ISRCTN33841495.

Effect of commercial breakfast fibre cereals compared with corn flakes on postprandial blood glucose, gastric emptying and satiety in healthy subjects: a randomized blinded crossover trial.

BACKGROUND: Dietary fibre food intake is related to a reduced risk of developing diabetes mellitus. However, the mechanism of this effect is still not clear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of commercial fibre cereals on the rate of gastric emptying, postprandial glucose response and satiety in healthy subjects. METHODS: Gastric emptying rate (GER) was measured by standardized real time ultrasonography. Twelve healthy subjects were assessed using a randomized crossover blinded trial. The subjects were examined after an 8 hour fast and after assessment of normal fasting blood glucose level. Satiety scores were estimated and blood glucose measurements were taken before and at 0, 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, 100 and 120 min after the end of the meal. GER was calculated as the percentage change in the antral cross-sectional area 15 and 90 min after ingestion of sour milk with corn flakes (GER1), cereal bran flakes (GER2) or wholemeal oat flakes (GER3). RESULTS: The median value was, respectively, 42% for GER1, 33 % for GER2 and 51% for GER3. The difference between the GER after ingestion of bran flakes compared to wholemeal oat flakes was statistically significant (p = 0.023). The postprandial delta blood glucose level was statistically significantly lower at 40 min (p = 0.045) and 120 min (p = 0.023) after the cereal bran flakes meal. There was no statistical significance between the areas under the curve (AUCs) of the cereals as far as blood glucose and satiety were concerned. CONCLUSION: The result of this study demonstrates that the intake of either bran flakes or wholemeal oat flakes has no effect on the total postprandial blood glucose response or satiety when compared to corn flakes. However, the study does show that the intake of cereal bran flakes slows the GER when compared to oat flakes and corn flakes, probably due to a higher fibre content. Since these products do not differ in terms of glucose response and satiety on healthy subjects, they should be considered equivalent in this respect.

Effect of food intake on 92 neurological biomarkers in plasma.

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates the effect of food intake on 92 neurological biomarkers in plasma. Moreover, it investigated if any of the biomarkers were correlated with body mass index. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two healthy subjects (11 male and 11 female aged 25.9 ± 4.2 years) were investigated. A total of 92 biomarkers were measured before a standardized meal as well as 30 and 120 min afterward with the Proseek Multiplex Neurology I kit. RESULTS: The levels for 13 biomarkers decreased significantly (p < .001) 30 min after food intake. The levels for four biomarkers remained significantly decreased (p < .001) 120 min after food intake. One biomarker increased significantly (p < .001) 30 min after food intake. The changes were between 1% and 12%, with an average difference of about 5%. Only one biomarker showed a difference over 10% due to food intake. The biggest difference was observed for Plexin-B3 120 min after food intake (12%). Of all the 92 neurological biomarkers, only one was correlated with BMI, Kynureninase r = .46, p < .05. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that food intake has a very modest effect on 92 different neurological biomarkers. Timing of blood sampling in relation to food intake, therefore, appears not to be a major concern. Only Kynureninase was correlated with BMI. Further studies are warranted in older healthy subjects and in patients with various neurological diseases to determine whether the findings are reproducible in such populations.

Effect of food intake on 92 biomarkers for cardiovascular disease.

OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluates the effect of food intake on 92 biomarkers for cardiovascular disease (CVD). METHODS: Twenty two healthy subjects (11 male and 11 female aged 25.9±4.2 years) were investigated. A total of 92 biomarkers were measured before a standardized meal as well as 30 and 120 minutes afterwards with the Proseek Multiplex CVD III kit. RESULTS: The levels for eight biomarkers decreased significantly (P<0.05) 30 minutes after food intake. The levels for seven biomarkers remained significantly decreased 120 minutes after food intake. Nine biomarker decreased significantly at 120 minutes after food intake. The changes were between 4-30%, most commonly around 5%. Only six biomarkers showed a difference of 10% or more due to food intake. The biggest differences were observed for Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 1 (30%); Azurocidin, Cystatin-B, and Myeloperoxidase (13%); Monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (11%); and Myeloblastin (10%), all 120 minutes after food intake. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that food intake affects several different CVD biomarkers, but the effect is predominantly modest. Timing of blood sampling in relation to food intake, therefore, appears not to be a major concern. Further studies are warranted in older healthy subjects and in patients with various cardiac diseases to determine whether the findings are reproducible.

The oxytocin/vasopressin receptor antagonist atosiban delays the gastric emptying of a semisolid meal compared to saline in human.

BACKGROUND: Oxytocin is released in response to a meal. Further, mRNA for oxytocin and its receptor have been found throughout the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The aim of this study was therefore to examine whether oxytocin, or the receptor antagonist atosiban, influence the gastric emptying. METHODS: Ten healthy volunteers (five men) were examined regarding gastric emptying at three different occasions: once during oxytocin stimulation using a pharmacological dose; once during blockage of the oxytocin receptors (which also blocks the vasopressin receptors) and thereby inhibiting physiological doses of oxytocin; and once during saline infusion. Gastric emptying rate (GER) was assessed and expressed as the percentage reduction in antral cross-sectional area from 15 to 90 min after ingestion of rice pudding. The assessment was performed by real-time ultrasonography. At the same time, the feeling of satiety was registered using visual satiety scores. RESULTS: Inhibition of the binding of endogenous oxytocin by the receptor antagonist delayed the GER by 37 % compared to saline (p = 0.037). In contrast, infusion of oxytocin in a dosage of 40 mU/min did not affect the GER (p = 0.610). Satiation scores areas in healthy subjects after receiving atosiban or oxytocin did not show any significant differences. CONCLUSION: Oxytocin and/or vasopressin seem to be regulators of gastric emptying during physiological conditions, since the receptor antagonist atosiban delayed the GER. However, the actual pharmacological dose of oxytocin in this study had no effect. The effect of oxytocin and vasopressin on GI motility has to be further evaluated.

Effect of food intake on left and right ventricular systolic tissue Doppler measurements.

Systolic tissue Doppler measurements (s') have been used to measure the velocity in myocardial motion and are a valuable tool for evaluating the systolic function of the left and right ventricles. Digestion of food is known to significantly alter hemodynamics and may therefore affect s'. The effect of food intake on s' parameters has not yet been studied. We assessed whether s' is affected by food intake. Nineteen healthy subjects aged 26·2 ± 4·2 years were investigated. s' was measured with pulsed tissue Doppler imaging in the right and left ventricles before the subjects ate a standardized meal and also 30 and 110 min after the meal. Three measurements were taken in each projection, and a mean value was calculated for each. s' increased significantly (P<0·05) from fasting to 30 min after food intake in every measured site except in the left inferolateral wall (P = 0·15, NS). Several, but not all, variables returned to base value 110 min after food intake. This study shows that food intake affects the tissue Doppler variables used to evaluate systolic heart function. Further studies are needed in older healthy subjects and older subjects with various cardiovascular diseases.