Objectives: to find the correlation between the global myocardial performance index (Tei-index) and the classic Echo-parameters associated with the diastolic function of the heart, with ischemic parameters, as detected in stress-test, in chronic stable coronary artery disease.
Methods: 79 patients (65 male, 14 female, mean age 54,3±4,1yrs), all with established (by coronary angiography) coronary artery disease, underwent an Echo-test and a stress treadmill test. We studied by Echo the following parameters: Tei-index, systolic parameters (EF, LVESV, LVEDV, SV), and diastolic parameters (Evel, Avel, E/A, IVRT, dtE, dtA) of the heart function. We studied also by stress-treadmill test, using the Bruce protocol, the following parameters: ST depression, exercise time, Duke treadmill score, Athens QRS score, QRS duration, Heart rate Recovery. Statistical analysis was performed using paired t-test (SPSS, version 14.0 for Windows).
Results: in the patients (62) with signs of active myocardial ischemia in stress-test, Tei-index was 0,36±0,13. In the absence of active myocardial ischemia (17 patients), Tei-index was 0,23±0,08. This finding is statistically significant (p<0,03). The classic systolic and diastolic Echo parameters are not affected by the presence of ischemia.
Conclusions: Active myocardial ischemia detected during stress-test in chronic stable coronary artery disease is associated with significant impairment of the the global myocardial performance index (Tei-index).