Effect of treatment on myocardial performance index (MPI) in chronic severe anaemia

Anaemia is a common ailment in developing countries which imposes mechanical load on heart. Myocardial Performance index (MPI) was evaluated by apex cardiogram (ACG) in 30 patients suffering from chronic severe anaemia (CSA) (with hemoglobin level less than 6 gm% and at least more than 3 months duration) before and after treatment in the age group of 20-40 years and compared with age and sex matched healthy controls. MPI was measured by simultaneous recordings of apex cardiogram, carotid arterial pulse, electrocardiogram and phonocardiogram on four channel polyrite (INCO). There was considerable increase (P<0.001) in heart rate (HR), left ventricular ejection time (ET) (P<0.02), shortening of isovolumic contraction time (ICT) (P<0.001), with no significant change in isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) in anaemia versus controls. On treatment of anaemia HR and ET decreases (P<0.001), ICT increases (P<0.01) without any change in IVRT. Our findings indicate that performance of myocardium is improved after treatment. So treatment should be instituted as early as possible.