Aims: To investigate left ventricular systolic and diastolic function in patients with essential hypertension and diabetes mellitus associated with hypertension by the myocardial performance index (MPI).
Methods and results: The study included 45 patients with essential hypertension, 45 patients with diabetes mellitus and hypertension and 45 normal subjects, who underwent a complete two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography including assessment of the isovolumetric Doppler time intervals for the estimation of the Doppler-derived MPI. The MPI was significantly higher in patients with essential hypertension and diabetes with hypertension, compared to controls (Essential hypertension=0.51+/-0.12; Diabetes=0.51+/-0.12 vs. controls 0.40+/-0.05, P=0.001). The isovolumetric contraction time was significantly prolonged in essential hypertension (56+/-26 msec vs. 40+/-17 msec, P<0.01 respectively) and among diabetes patients isovolumetric relaxation time was prolonged compared to normal subjects (100+/-20 ms vs. 87+/-16 ms, P<0.01, respectively). The index was not related to left ventricular mass, age or ejection fraction, but significantly correlated to E-wave deceleration time (rho=0.48, P<0.001).
Conclusions: The MPI is increased, in both essential hypertensive patients and diabetes patients with associated hypertension, despite normal ejection fraction.