A Study of the Relationship between Myocardial Performance Index and Left Ventricular End-diastolic Pressure in Patients with Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction

INTRODUCTION: Doppler echocardiography is used to evaluate global myocardial performance. An index of myocardial performance (Tei Index) can be of great prognostic value in heart failure. This study was performed to assess the correlation between Tei Index (TI) and left ventricular end diastolic pressure (LVEDP). METHODS: The study group consisted of 38 patients. Each patient underwent ventriculographic evaluation (all had EF≤45). Eighteen patients had LVEDP<15 (14 males, 4 females, 57±6 years old) and 20 subjects (15 males, 5 females, 56±7 years old) had LVEDP≥15. Using Doppler echocardiography, TI was determined for all patients and compared. RESULTS: Mean TI value was significantly different between subjects with LVEDP<15 and those with LVEDP<15 (0.55±0.18 vs. 0.76±0.19, P<0.001, T=4.1). DISCUSSION: In patients with systolic heart failure (EF≤45), TI was significantly lower in subjects with LVEDP<15 compared to those with LVEDP≥15. Thus, TI may be useful for noninvasive assessment of LVEDP in heart failure. ARYA Journal, 2006, 1(3): 175-177