[Left ventricle TEI index--assessment of clinical role in patients with aortic valve stenosis].
OBJECTIVE
The study aimed to assess the clinical efficacy of the TEI index in patients with aortic valve stenosis (AVS).


METHODS
The study group comprised 30 consecutive patients (12 F; 18 M; mean age: 60.1 +/- 9.2; range: 48-70 years) with aortic valve stenosis. Their clinical status was evaluated according to the NYHA criteria. A complete 2-dimensional, Doppler and color flow Doppler examination was performed. To assess systolic and diastolic left ventricle function we used ejection fraction--EF (%) and transmitral inflow velocity E/A ratio, respectively. The TEI index was calculated as (a - b)/b, were a is the interval between the cessation and onset of mitral inflow, and b is the ejection time. We also determined: maximal transaortic gradient--Ao max gr (mmHg), aortic valve area--AVA (cm2) and left ventricular mass index--LV mass index (g/m2). Based on clinical symptoms we divided patients into two groups: Group 1 (NYHA I/II) and Group 2 (NYHA III and IV).


RESULTS
There were no significant differences in age, Ao max gr, AVA, EF and ejection time (b) between groups. But we found significantly prolonged time interval (a) and consequently significantly higher TEI index (p<0.001) in the group with severe symptoms. LV mass index and E/A ratio were also related to the patient's clinical status (p<0.05) but the TEI index seems to be more sensitive in distinguishing severely limited patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The TEI index revealed to be closely related to symptoms in patients with aortic valve stenosis. The patient's clinical status seems to depend more on the TEI than on the conventional measured parameters like aortic valve area and transaortic gradient.
Suchoń
Elzbieta
E
Klinika Chorób Serca i Naczyń, Instytutu Kardiologii Collegium Medicum, Uniwersytetu Jagiellońskiego w Krakowie. esuchon@szpitaljp2.krakow.pl
Przewłocki
Tadeusz
T
Mura
Aleksandra
A
Podolec
Piotr
P
Płazak
Wojciech
W
Tracz
Wiesława
W
D000368:Aged; D001024:Aortic Valve Stenosis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D001810:Blood Volume; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013318:Stroke Volume; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology