E/e Septal & E/e Lateral Calculator
- E over e Ratio: Clinical Explanation and Interpretation
The E over e ratio provides an indirect estimation of left ventricular filling pressures by combining transmitral inflow velocity with myocardial relaxation velocity measured through tissue Doppler imaging. The early transmitral flow velocity rises when left atrial pressure increases, while the e prime velocity decreases when myocardial relaxation is impaired. The combination of these two parameters yields a practical and reproducible marker of diastolic function.
The septal e prime and lateral e prime measurements reflect different myocardial segments, and each contributes a complementary perspective. The septal annulus often demonstrates lower velocities due to its anatomical and functional characteristics, whereas the lateral annulus tends to show higher velocities under normal conditions. Therefore, both septal and lateral E over e ratios help clinicians assess diastolic performance more accurately across diverse patient populations.
An E over e septal or E over e lateral value lower than eight typically suggests normal left ventricular filling pressures. Values above fourteen are strongly associated with elevated filling pressures and are frequently observed in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction or restrictive filling patterns. Intermediate values between eight and fourteen require additional clinical context, including left atrial volume index, pulmonary venous flow, and other Doppler markers.
Understanding the E over e ratio is important because elevated filling pressures relate to exertional dyspnea, reduced exercise capacity, and long term outcomes in cardiovascular disease. The ratio assists clinicians in diagnosing diastolic dysfunction, evaluating therapeutic response, and stratifying the severity of heart failure across a broad clinical spectrum. When interpreted together with other echocardiographic markers, the E over e ratio contributes to a comprehensive and reliable assessment of left ventricular diastolic performance.
References:
Nagueh SF et al. Recommendations for the Evaluation of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function by Echocardiography. Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography. 2016;29:277 to 314.
Otto CM. Textbook of Clinical Echocardiography. Fifth Edition. Elsevier.
Pieske B et al. How to diagnose diastolic heart failure. European Heart Journal. 2019;40:2940 to 2971.
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