Clinical value of the tissue Doppler derived index of myocardial performance (Tei index) in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to investigate the left ventricular Index of Myocardial Performance (IMP) by tissue Doppler echocardiography in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). ANIMALS, MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty cats with HCM and 10 healthy cats were included in the study. Clinical examination, electrocardiography, blood pressure measurement, thoracic radiography and transthoracic echocardiography were performed in both healthy and HCM cats. Left ventricular IMP was assessed by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) echocardiography. RESULTS: Systolic dysfunction was observed in 11 cats (55 %), and diastolic dysfunction was present in all cats with HCM. Although the isovolumic contraction time (IVCT) and ejection time (ET) were significantly shorter in cats with HCM, the IMP was not significantly different between the study groups. Peak velocity of early diastolic mitral annular motion as determined by pulsed wave Doppler (E') and respiratory rate (RR) were identified as potential predictors of mortality. STUDY LIMITATIONS: Small sample size and lack of time-adjusted survival analysis may reduce the strength of prognostic conclusions. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that both diastolic and systolic dysfunction are present in cats with HCM and that these alterations affect left ventricular IMP, potentially limiting its clinical applicability. Furthermore, low E' and increased RR were identified as potential predictors of mortality in cats with HCM.