The assessment of left ventricular function using TDI-Tei index and E/(Ea×Sa) of echocardiography in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus at the active stage

Objective To discuss the value of Tei index measured by tissue Doppler imaging(TDI)and E/(Ea×Sa)in evaluating left ventricular function in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE)at the active stage without evident clinical symptom.Methods A total of thirty patients with SLE at the active stage(SLE group)and twenty-seven healthy subjects(group of healthy subjects)were evaluated with routine echocardiography and TDI.The parameters of transmitral E,A were measured.The maximal systolic velocity of mitral annulus(Sa),the maximal early diastolic velocity of mitral annulus(Ea),the maximal late diastolic velocity of mitral annulus(Aa)of the six walls of mitral annulus were determined with quantitative tissue velocity imaging(QTVI).The E/A,Ea/Aa,E/Ea,E/(Ea×Sa)were calculated.The parameters of six walls of mitral annulus isovolumetric relaxation time(IRT),isovolumetric contraction time(ICT),ejection time(ET)were determined;Tei index measured by TDI was calculated as well.The average value of above-mentioned parameters of six walls of mitral annulus were calculated and contrasted between SLE group and the group of healthy subjects.Results Compared with healthy subjects,Aa,Tei index measured by TDI,IRT,E/Ea,and E/(Ea×Sa)were significantly higher in the SLE group(P0.01 or P0.05);the Ea,Ea/Aa and ET were significantly lower in the SLE group(P0.01);the E/(Ea×Sa)and E/Ea were positively correlated with Tei index measured by TDI(r=0.523,P0.01;r=0.323,P0.05).There was a certain negative correlationships within E/(Ea×Sa),E/Ea and Ea(r=-0.605,r=-0.726,P0.01).Conclusions The Tei index measured by TDI and E/(Ea×Sa)could be appropriate index for accessing the degrade of left ventricular function in patients with SLE at the active stage.