[Diagnosis of diastolic regurgitation through the atrioventricular valves using pulsed and continuous-wave Doppler. Description of a case].

We describe the case of a diastolic mitral and tricuspid regurgitation in a patient affected by acute myocardial infarction Ecg showed inferior myocardial infarction complicated by atrioventricular block and a junctional rhythm with frequent premature ventricular beats; the mean heart rate was of about 60 per minute. 2D echocardiogram disclosed akinesia of the apical segments of the inferior septum and anterior and infero-lateral walls. Pulsed and continuous wave Doppler showed mild to moderate mitral and tricuspid systolic regurgitation and diastolic regurgitation through both atrioventricular valves. The diastolic regurgitation always occurred during prolonged diastoles, soon after the blocked P waves. The possible mechanism of this finding and its clinical significance are discussed, drawing the conclusion that the atrioventricular diastolic regurgitation is not diagnostic of a specific valvular disease but can be secondary to other conditions, especially the atrioventricular block.