Background: The aim of this study is to correlate Tei index obtained from tissue Doppler echocardiography (TDE-Tei index) defined as the ratio of the sum of isovolumetric contraction time (ICT) and isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT) over the ejection time (ET) with invasive measurements of left ventricular (LV) performance.
Methods: Thirty-four patients who underwent an echocardiographic examination and cardiac catheterization were studied. Invasive measurements of peak +dp/dt, peak -dp/dt, and isovolumic relaxation constant of the left ventricle (tau) were obtained from a micromanometer-tipped catheter.
Results: After a multivariate analysis, TDE-Tei index had a negative correlation with ejection fraction (EF) (beta=-0.384, P = 0.046) and positive correlation with tau (beta= 0.397, P = 0.040). ET had a negative correlation with heart rate (beta=-0.446, P = 0.005) and positive correlation with EF (beta= 0.379, P = 0.015). ICT + IRT had a positive correlation with tau (beta= 0.512, P = 0.002). ICT/ET had a negative correlation with EF (beta=-0.657, P < 0.001) and positive correlation with peak early transmitral filling wave velocity (beta= 0.385, P = 0.001). IRT/ET had a positive correlation with tau (beta= 0.402, P = 0.018).
Conclusions: TDE-Tei index exerts a correlation both with accepted indices of LV systolic and diastolic function acquired by cardiac catheterization. Hence, TDE-Tei index is a simple and feasible indicator in assessing overall LV function.