Doppler myocardial performance index (DMPI), defined as the sum of isovolumetric contraction time (IVCT) and isovolumetric relaxation time (IVRT) divided by ejection time (ET), is an easily measurable index which has been shown to reflect the severity of the disease. It has been known each component of DMPI, as IVCT, IVRT and ET, was affected by the change of preload. Therefore, the objective of this study was to estimate the changes of DMPI during intravascular volume reduction in patients with end-stage renal disease and to determine which components of DMPI contribute to DMPI alteration during intravacular volume reduction.

We measured blood pressure, heart rate, M-mode echocardiographic and Doppler parameters within 10 minutes before and after hemodialysis and ultrafitration with amount of average 2 L.

We studied 40 end-stage renal disease patients (22 men and 18 women, mean age of 52 years) who had left ventricular hypertrophy 39 (97.5%) and normal left ventricular systolic function (diastolic interventricular septal thickness, 13.8±2 mm; diastolic left ventricular posterior wall thickness, 12.6±2 mm; Ejection fraction, 63.1±0.1%). Peak E-wave velocity was significantly decreased after hemodialysis and ultrafiltration (84.85±25 cm/s vs 72.89±23 cm/s, p<0.05), but other Doppler parameters such as peak A-wave velocity and E deceleration time were not changed. E/A ratio showed decreased tendency which was not significant statistically (p<0.097). DMPI was significantly increased after hemodialysis and ultrafiltration (0.41±0.14 vs 0.45±0.15, p<0.001). The increase of DMPI was mainly affected by prolongation of IVRT/ET which was due to prolonged IVRT, but IVCT/ET was not changed. The changes of DMPI was little with hemodialysis and ultrafiltration of about 2 L.

We could prove that DMPI was preload dependent parameter of myocardial function. We suggest the change of preload should be considered as an important factor which may alter the DMPI.