Role of age on transmitral flow velocity patterns in assessing left ventricular diastolic function in normal infants and children.

This study demonstrated that both peak E and flow velocity integral of early diastole increased to reach the older children's values by 36 months of age and leveled off thereafter, whereas both peak A and flow velocity integral of atrial contraction had little change. These results suggest that age-related changes in E wave reflect the maturational or developmental alterations in LV diastolic properties, especially in the relaxation process.