Global left ventricular performance in non-diabetic non-hypertensive metabolic syndrome adults

To evaluate the left ventricular structure and function in isolated metabolic syndrome.

One hundred and fifty six consecutive adults with metabolic syndrome were enrolled in the study. Fifty nine had isolated metabolic syndrome (group A) and 97 had metabolic syndrome with hypertension and/or diabetes (group B). There was a control group of 34 healthy adults. In addition to classic echocardiographic assessment of myocardial structural and functional changes, the Tei index was used to evaluate global left ventricular performance.

There were no statistically significant differences between group A and controls in all parameters of left ventricular structural, systolic, and diastolic function except global myocardial performance (Tei index). On the other hand, significant differences were observed between group B and the control group in most of the parameters of left ventricular structural and global performance.

The early identification of isolated metabolic syndrome in non-diabetic, non-hypertensive adults may be an indication that aggressive preventive measures should not be postponed until overt obesity, hypertension or diabetes mellitus has developed.