The role of modified myocardial performance index (Tei index) in exploring fetal cardiac function

C. Mihăilescu, M. Mitran, B. Marinescu

Abstract: The aim of this study is to determine the normal values of myocardial performance index, measured by two different methods in the examination of fetal Doppler echocardiography in the second and third trimester of pregnancy, and to compare them with other values quoted in the literature. Doppler evaluation of the myocardial performance index (MPI) and modified myocardial performance index (Mod-MPI) by measuring the isovolumic contraction time, isovolumic relaxation time, ejection time, and calculation of the myocardial performance index (MPI/Mod-MPI). The normal values of MPI for the second and third trimester of pregnancy (18-31 weeks gestation) were 0.51±12 ms, and the normal values of the Mod-MPI for the second and third trimester of pregnancy (18-31 weeks gestation) were 0.40±4, consistent with the values quoted by the literature. The myocardial performance index is an indicator of fetal cardiac systolic function that can be easily measured and reproduced, without the need to obtain detailed anatomical images. The modified Mod-MPI could become a useful tool in exploring the fetal cardiac function in different clinical situations, and could be introduced as a standard measurement for the fetal echocardiography evaluation because it provides a higher accuracy as compared to MPI, in assessing the systolic function.
DOI:10.18643/gieu.2014.58

Keywords: Doppler, fetal echocardiography, myocardial performance index, Tei Index.