Modified TEI index: a promising parameter in essential hypertension?
OBJECTIVE
Modified TEI index is pointed to be more effective in the evaluation of global cardiac functions compared to systolic and diastolic measurements alone. We planned to determine its applicability in hypertension and relation with left ventricular mass index (LVMI).


METHODS
We studied 48 patients with mild/moderate hypertension and normal coronary angiograms. In total 22 patients (12 men, 10 women, mean age: 55 +/- 6) with normal LVMI were studied in group I, 26 patients (12 men, 14 women, mean age: 57 +/- 7) with increased LVMI in group II, and 20 patients (10 men, 10 women, mean age: 53 +/- 7) with normal blood pressure as a control group. Standard 2D, Doppler, and mitral annulus pulse wave tissue Doppler were used for all measurements. Modified TEI index was calculated as diastolic time interval measured from end of Am wave to origin of Em (a') minus systolic Sm duration (b') divided by b(a'-b'/b').


RESULTS
Modified TEI index was significantly higher in both groups than normal group and in group II than in group I. (


METHODS
0.33 +/- 0.05, group I: 0.51 +/- 0.17, group II: 0.68 +/- 0.16, P< 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Modified TEI index, a marker of left ventricular systolic and diastolic functions, is impaired in hypertensives before hypertrophy develops and impairment is more prominent in hypertrophy. Therefore, (1) modified TEI index in hypertensives is a safe, feasible, and sensitive index for evaluation of global ventricular functions. (2) Evaluation of hypertensives with this index periodically may guide interventions directed toward saving systolic and diastolic functions. (3) Modified TEI index is gaining importance as a complementary parameter to standard Doppler or in cases where standard Doppler has its limitations.
Keser
Nurgül
N
Department of Cardiology, University of Maltepe-Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey. nesenur@superonline.com
Yildiz
Sezai
S
Kurtoğ
Nuri
N
Dindar
Ismet
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods*; D018619:Echocardiography, Doppler, Pulsed / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006334:Heart Function Tests; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology*; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology