title: [A correlation study of Tei index and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide in patients with high-altitude heart disease].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the diagnostic value of Tei index of right ventricle and serum level of NT-proBNP in patients with high-altitude heart disease (HAHD).
  
  
  METHODS
  Right ventricle Tei index and serum NT-proBN level were calculated and tested in 32 local healthy volunteers and 34 cases of HAHD patients hospitalized in our hospital in Golmud city (2808 meters above sea level) from 2008 to 2010, and a correlation study was conducted thereafter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The pulmonary arterial systolic pressure and right ventricle Tei index, elevated significantly in HAHD patients compared with the control group [(86.61 vs 9.72) mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) and (0.90 vs 0.33) respectively, P < 0.05]. Patients diagnosed as mild pulmonary hypertension without alteration in cardiac structure showed higher pulmonary arterial systolic pressure and the Tei index compared with the control group [(57.1 vs 9.72) mm Hg and (0.78 vs 0.33) respectively, P < 0.05]. In addition, the level of serum NT-proBNP was significantly higher in HAHD group than that of control group [(1246.8 ± 512.6) ng/L and (98.6 ± 21.7) ng/L respectively, P < 0.05].
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Right ventricle Tei index and serum NT-proBNP level are sensitive indicators for right ventricular function and thus of favorable clinical significance for the diagnosis of HAHD.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, the 22nd Hospital of PLA, Golmud 861000, Qinghai Province, China. ligaoyuandoc@163.com
authors.forename: Gao-yuan
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zheng-jian
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Hai-jun
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Xue-hong
authors.initials: XH
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jun-jie
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: An-zhong
authors.initials: AZ
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000531:Altitude; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain / Q000097:blood*; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000097:blood*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; C109794:pro-brain natriuretic peptide (1-76); D020097:Natriuretic Peptide, Brain