Myocardial Performance Index for Patients with Overt and Subclinical Hypothyroidism

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Endocrinology
• Medical Diagnostics

Background:

• Hypothyroidism is known to affect cardiovascular function.
• The global myocardial performance index (MPI) assesses left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function.
• This study investigates MPI differences in hypothyroid patients versus controls.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare global myocardial performance index (MPI) values in patients with hypothyroidism and healthy controls.
• To evaluate the impact of subclinical and overt hypothyroidism on cardiac function.
• To establish MPI as a potential echocardiographic marker for cardiac dysfunction in hypothyroidism.

Main Methods:

• Eighty-two hypothyroid patients (50 subclinical, 32 overt) and 37 healthy controls were enrolled.
• Comprehensive laboratory tests included thyroid hormones (TSH, FT3, FT4), antibodies (anti-TPO, anti-TG), insulin, lipids, and glucose.
• Standard echocardiography was performed to assess myocardial performance indexes, including MPI.

Main Results:

• Mean MPI was significantly elevated in overt hypothyroid (0.53±0.06) and subclinical hypothyroid (0.51±0.05) groups compared to the control group (0.44±0.75) (p<0.001 for both).
• Elevated MPI indicates impaired global left ventricular function in both subclinical and overt hypothyroidism.
• Thyroid hormone levels, antibodies, insulin, lipids, and glucose showed variations across groups, correlating with cardiac function.

Conclusions:

• MPI is significantly higher in hypothyroid patients, indicating impaired global left ventricular function.
• This echocardiographic finding suggests a regression in cardiac performance associated with hypothyroidism.
• Further research is needed to understand the long-term cardiovascular outcomes related to elevated MPI in hypothyroid individuals.