Non-invasive prediction of ST elevation myocardial infarction complications by left ventricular Tei index.

OBJECTIVE To investigate association between the Tei index and cardiac complications of ST elevation of Myocardial Infarction. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of a 202 adult consecutive patients with first ST elevation MI (STEMI) were studied. Tei index was obtained as: (a _ b)/b, where "a" is the interval between the cessation and onset of mitral flow and "b" is the ejection time of aortic flow measured with the help of pulsed Doppler echocardiography. Subsequent complications, included Death, Congestive Heart Failure (CHF), Cardiogenic shock, Atrial Flutter/ Atrial Fibrillation, Sustained ventricular tachycardia, Advanced Atrio- Ventricular Clock (AV Block), Myocardial Infarction (MI), Readmission (due to any cardiac cause) and Revascuralarization during the 30 days after the onset of Acute STEMI were prospectively evaluated and compared with the initial Tei index at admission. RESULTS Complications were noted in 60% of the patients with acute STEMI. The Tei index was significantly increased for patients with complications compared with those without them (0.66 +/- 0.13 vs. 0.30 +/- 0.10, P < .0001). When Tei index > 0.40 was used for the criteria, the sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy to predict subsequent complications were 86%, 82%, and 83%, respectively. CONCLUSION Tei index allows approximate but quick and practical noninvasive prediction of complications in patients with STEMI.