Applicability of modified Tei index in assessing left ventricular function in patients with hypertension

Objective To compare the value of modified Tei index and Tei index in assessing left ventricular function in patients with hypertension.Methods Sixty-seven patients with mild/moderate hypertension were divided into 2 groups.Thirty-two patients with normal left ventricular mass index(LVMI) were studied in group A,35 patients with increased LVMI in group B,and 24 healthy subjects served as control group.Standard 2D Doppler,mitral annulus inflow and tissue Doppler imaging were used for all measurements.Tei index and modified Tei index were calculated according to respective formula.Results LVEF in three groups were at the same level.Although myocardial systolic peak rate(Sm) by tissue Doppler imaging(TDI) had no significant difference among three groups,it was much higher in group B than in control group.Conclusions Modified Tei index is impaired in hypertensives before ventricular hypertrophy develops and impairment is more prominent in left ventricular hypertrophy.Modified Tei index is gaining importance as a complementary parameter to standard Doppler or in cases where standard Doppler has its limitations.