[Value of Tei index measured by Dual Doppler modality in cardiac function estimation in patients with hypertension]

Tei-Index is a useful echocardiographic parameter for evaluating global cardiac function. Conventionally, a value and b value, which the calculation of Tei index is based on, are measured in different cardiac cycle. Therefore, accuracy of Tei index is damaged by cycle dependent variation, especially in patients with arrhythmia. The newly established Dual Doppler modality allows a synchronous measurement of both a value and b value. This study was aimed to explore the value of Tei index measured by Dual Doppler in cardiac function estimation in patients with hypertension. One hundred and forty patients with hypertension were recuited and divided into three groups according to cardiac function. The a value and b value were generated from the transmitral and transaortic flow spectrum of the same cardiac cyle by Dual Doppler modality. The results showed that Tei index was significantly higher in the cardiac dysfunction group than in the control group. There was a high correlation between Tei index and NYHA cardiac performance. Tei index measured by Dual Doppler modality is a highly reproducible parameter with high sensitivity and specificity for cardiac function estimation, even for patients with arrthymia.