Doppler-derived myocardial performance index: a new predictor for subclinical dysfunction in hypertensive patients

This study included 40 hypertensive patients and 20 normal subjects as a control group. They were subjected to complete clinical examination, ECG and complete echo-Doppler study with the calculation of Doppler-derived interval index [ICT + IRT]. The index was significantly higher in hypertensive patients as compared with the control, it was also significantly higher in hypertensive patient with eccentric LVH as compared with those with concentric LVH. The index was higher in patients with decreased EF and FS. The Doppler-derived index of combined systolic and diastolic function was higher in hypertensive than normotensive and it may be considered a simple accurate parameter for the detection of subclinical dysfunction and follow up studies of cardiac patients

Validity of a new exercise-induced QRS score for diagnosis of coronary artery disease

This study aimed to examine validity of a new exercise index [the QRS score] and compare its value with ST-segment depression as markers of ischemia. The study included 104 subjects, 64 patients with documented coronary artery disease [group I] and 40 normal subjects as controls [group II]. All subjects underwent a symptom limited treadmill exercise testing according to Bruce protocol. For each subject, QRS score was calculated and ST segment was evaluated. QRS score <5 mm detected coronary artery disease with a sensitivity of 90%, specificity of 85% and predictive accuracy of 87.5%; while for ST-segment depression, sensitivity was 61%, specificity 90% and predictive accuracy 70%. The value of QRS score was independent of the presence or absence of ST-segment depression. Also, there was a significant inverse relationship between value of QRS score and number of diseased coronary vessels. These data suggested that this new QRS score was a more useful and reliable index than ST-segment depression for the diagnosis of coronary artery disease