RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: The myocardial performance index, Tei index, is a relatively new echocardiography indice which is related to parameters which express both the systolic and diastolic myocardial function. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the possible correlation of Tei index to microalbuminuria, which is an indice of kidney target-organ damage in hypertensive patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated 9680 consecutive patients (mean age 55.2 years, 5144 male and 4536 female) with chronic uncomplicated essential hypertension and the correlation between Tei index, defined as the sum of the isovolumetric relaxation and contraction time divided by the ejection time, and kidney target damage (microalbuminuria) was evaluated. RESULTS: In univariate analysis we noticed a positive correlation of Tei index with microalbuminuria (r=0.353 p<0.001). Furthermore, a significant difference was found in each Tei quartile for microalbumin levels (p<0.001). In multivariate analysis with Tei index as a dependent variable (high versus low quartile) and independent variables gender, age, body mass index, plasma glucose, heart rate, blood pressure, kidney function indices and lipids, the independent prognostic correlation to microalbuminuria was noticed (OR: 1.002 p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In the present study we found that Tei index correlates with microalbuminuria in essential hypertensive patients. Thus we can assume that this index could be used not only for the evaluation of the global myocardial performance of hypertensive patients but also for the assessment of the cardiovascular risk in arterial hypertension since it correlates with kidney damage.