Large volume reduction after hemodialysis in patients with chronic renal failure alters the preload. We investigated the cardiac function by total ejection isovolume (TEI) index- a new simple, readily reproducible Doppler echocardiographic index combining systolic and diastolic function- before and after dialysis.

Thirty-one patients on maintenance hemodialysis including 6 diabetes and 13 hypertensives without known organic heart disease and with normal systolic function were enrolled. They were divided into two groups according to ultrafiltration volume at the study dialysis session, group 1 (2.5kg or less) and group 2 (more than 2.5 kg). They are 46±12 years old on average. We examined two-dimensional, M-mode, pulsed wave and tissue Doppler before and after dialysis immediately. TEI index was calculated by dividing the sum of the isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) and isovolumic contraction time (ICT) by the ejection time.

After dialysis, significant decrease of body weight was noted, but baseline heart rate, blood pressure, Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction and LV mass index were not changed significantly. LV end-diastolic volume was decreased significantly after dialysis in all group, and end-systolic volume was decreased significantly in total and group 2. Peak early E velocity and ratio of E to the peak late (A) velocity (E/A) from mitral inflow signal were decreased significantly after dialysis in all group and deceleration time of early filling phase was prolonged in total and group 1, but A and IVRT did not change significantly. Of the septal mitral annulus motion, Ean velocity and Ean/Aan ratio was decreased, but no significant change was noted in the lateral annulus. The TEI index did not chage significantly after dialysis in all group

A new simple echocardiographic TEI index can be used to measure the global myocardial function in patients with chronic renal failure before and after dialysis, relatively independent of preload change.