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PubMedDate not supplied

[Validation of the Italian versions of the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and the Dougados Functional Index (DFI) in patients with ankylosing spondylitis].

OBJECTIVES: The Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI) and the Dougados Functional Index (DFI) are the most commonly used instruments to measure functioning in ankylosing spondylitis (AS). The aim of this study was to translate, adapt and validate these instruments into the Italian language. METHODS: The BASFI and DFI questionnaires were translated into Italian by two independent bilingual physicians who were familiar with the medical aspects of AS and by one professional translator. Two rheumatologists familiar with instrument validation, and who were aware of the purpose of the study, examined semantic, idiomatic and conceptual issues and produced by consensus unified versions of each instrument. English back-translations from the Italian were done by a professional translator unaware of the original version. Both English versions were compared, and where needed, modifications to the Italian versions were made. RESULTS: A total of 95 patients were included: 77 males, age (mean+/-SD) 47.9+/-9.3years, and disease duration 12.4+/-6.6 years, and 18 females, age 45.9+/-8.7 years, and disease duration 11.3+/-8.2 years. Reliability, measured in 23 patients participating a physiotherapy program, showed an acceptable one-week test-retest intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)--BASFI ICC: 0.91, 95% CI: 0,87-0.94 and DFI ICC: 0.86, 95% CI: 0.83-0.90. The internal consistency was 0.90 (Cronbach's alpha) for the BASFI and 0.87 for the DFI. For validity the functional indices were correlated with the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Metrology Index (BASMI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Patient Global Score (BAS-G), modified Health Assesment Questionnaire (HAQ-S), SF-36 physical component summary (SF-36 PCS), stiffness, pain, physician's assessment of disease activity, Bath AS Radiology Index-total (BASRI-t), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and C-reactive protein (CRP). The functional indices (BASFI and DFI) were correlated with each other (p<0.0001) and with activity variables. There was no significant relationship between functional indices and BASRI-t and acute phase reactants. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis indicated that the BASFI ranked superior compared to HAQ-S, (p = 0.019) and SF36 PCS (p = 0.002), but not respect to DFI (p = NS), in distinguishing between patients with high and low disease activity. CONCLUSIONS: The Italian versions of the BASFI and DFI showed adequate reliability and validity in patients with AS. Because of psychometric advantages, the BASFI may be preferred in clinical trial settings. However, sensitivity to changes due to drug therapy and/or rehabilitation remains to be determined.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed2002

[A discussion on utility and purposed value of obesity and abdomen obesity when body mass index, waist circumference, waist to hip ratio used as indexes predicting hypertension and hyper-blood glucose].

OBJECTIVE: Discussion on utility and purposed value of obesity and abdomen obesity when body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), waist to hip ratio (WHR) used as indexes predicting hypertension, hyper-blood glucose, and both clusters, to provide scientific basis for the decision on the indexes and their cut-off points of obesity and abdomen obesity in Chinese people. METHODS: Using the data of diabetes mellitus (DM) from epidemiological studies carried out in 11 provinces/autonomous regions/municipalities of China from July 1995 to June 1997. Partial relative analysis, logistic multi-factors regression analysis, interaction analysis were used. Relative risk (RR), attributable risk proportion (ARP) and population attributable risk proportion (PARP) of hypertension, hyper-blood glucose, and the both cluster as BMI, WC, WHR with the different cut off points were analysed. RESULTS: 1) The correlations between BMI, WC and blood pressure, blood glucose were better than the WHR. 2) After adjusted by age, sex, occupation leisure physical activity, education degree and the family history of DM, the results suggested that BMI, WC, WHR were important predictive factors, with relative importance as BMI > WC > WHR. 3) There were augment interactions on BMI, WC and WHR with hypertension, hyper-blood glucose, with the interaction of BMI and WC in particular. Their pure attributable interaction proportion were from 5.95% to 29.34%. 4) The values of RR were about 2.5 when BMI >/= 23, >/= 24 and >/= 25, suggesting the relationship with exposure factors and diseases were with medium and high maleficent extent. Their ARP were from 0.580 to 0.623 with PARP from 0.259 to 0.425. The values of RR were from 2.06 to 3.08 as WC >/= 85 cm in males, WC >/= 80 cm in females while WC >/= 90 cm in males, WC >/= 80 cm in females, which suggested that the relationship with exposure factors and diseases were in medium and high maleficent extent. Their ARP were from 0.515 to 0.676 while PARP from 0.241 to 0.431. CONCLUSIONS: Since the maleficent extent of exposure factors to diseases, the acceptability for overweight and obesity in population, and the prevention and care for overweight and obesity were just in the introduction stage in China. The utility value of predicted hypertension, hyper-blood glucose in BMI and WC seemed to be better then in WHR. We suggested that BMI used as the obesity index, with the diagnostic cut-off point BMI >/= 24. WC as the abdomen obesity index. The diagnostic cut-off points are suggested to be WC >/= 85 cm in males, and WC >/= 80 cm in females.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Evaluation of the Crohn's Disease Activity Index (CDAI) and the Dutch Index for severity and activity of Crohn's disease. An analysis of the data from the European Cooperative Crohn's Disease Study.

In the European Cooperative Crohn's Disease Study a general documentation of clinical and laboratory data was made at the entry into the study in 452 patients. These patients were in different states of their disease from quiescent to very active. In all patients the Crohn's Disease Activity Index of Best (CDAI) and the Dutch Index of van Hees was calculated. Three gastroenterologists did a global clinical rating and a separate laboratory rating without knowledge of the indices. The ratings were then correlated with the indices in the individual patients. The clinical rating correlated well with the CDAI (r = 0.88) and less with the Dutch Index (r = 0.672). On the other hand the laboratory rating showed a better correlation with the Dutch Index (r = 0.742) than with the CDAI (r = 0.573). This demonstrates that the CDAI preferably is an estimate of the clinical severity of the disease and not of the activity of inflammation. Vice versa the Dutch Index is mainly reflecting the activity of the inflammatory process.

Colitis↗
PubMed1984

Journal article overlap among Index Medicus, Science Citation Index, Biological Abstracts, and Chemical Abstracts.

Journal article overlap is defined as the same journal article being indexed by two or more services. Using journal references from seventy dissertations written in the preclinical sciences, the extent of journal article overlap among Index Medicus, Science Citation Index, Biological Abstracts, and Chemical Abstracts was examined. Of the 7,969 journal references cited, 92% were indexed by at least two of these services; 591 articles were covered by only one of the services, and 55 articles were not indexed. A discussion of the advantages and costs of journal article overlap is presented.

Abstracting and Indexing↗
PubMedDate not supplied

The A-line ARX index may be a more sensitive detector of arousal than the bispectral index during propofol-fentanyl-nitrous oxide anesthesia: a preliminary investigation.

PURPOSE: To compare changes in the A-line ARX index (AAI) by the Alaris AEP monitor(TM) with those of the bispectral index (BIS) during propofol-fentanyl-nitrous oxide anesthesia. METHODS: Eighty female patients undergoing partial mastectomy were randomly allocated to AAI or BIS (40 per group). Anesthesia was induced with propofol 2 mg x kg(-1) and fentanyl 3 micro g x kg(-1) during the inhalation of oxygen. A laryngeal mask airway (LMA) #3 was inserted. Anesthesia was maintained with propofol 4 mg x kg(-1) x hr(-1), fentanyl 1 micro g x kg(-1) given at the start of surgery, and nitrous oxide 4 L x min(-1) in oxygen 2 L x min(-1). Blood pressure, heart rate, and AAI or BIS were monitored, including recovery time of the index after disturbance by electrocautery. RESULTS: The AAI but not the BIS increased significantly with LMA insertion and skin incision, while blood pressure and heart rate did not change. The BIS decreased from 87 +/- 7 to 30-60 while the AAI decreased from 75 +/- 8 to 10-25 during anesthesia. The increase of the AAI was larger than that of the BIS at recovery from anesthesia. The variation of the index was smaller in the AAI than in the BIS. Recovery time of the index after electrocautery was significantly longer in the BIS group (21 +/- 9 sec) than that in the AAI group (5 +/- 3 sec). CONCLUSIONS: During propofol-fentanyl-nitrous oxide anesthesia, the AAI responded to LMA insertion or surgical incision, but not the BIS, and the AAI had smaller variations. The AAI recovered faster from the disturbance by electrocautery than the BIS. Thus, the AAI may be a more sensitive and useful detector of arousal than the BIS.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Diastolic amplitude time index: a new apexcardiographic index of left ventricular diastolic function in human beings.

Left ventricular apexcardiography was performed in 260 normal subjects and 37 patients undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization: 13 without left heart disease (group 1), 18 with congestive cardiomyopathy (group 2) and 6 with idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (group 3). In the patients undergoing catheterization the apexcardiogram was recorded simultaneously with left ventricular pressure (tipmanometer) and its first derivative (dP/dt). The following variables were measured in the apex tracing: (1) the time from the onset of the aortic component of the second heart sound (A2) in the phonocardiogram to the nadir of the apexcardiogram, termed total apexcardiographic relaxation time (TART), (2) the time from A2 to the onset of the systolic upstroke (C point) of the apexcardiogram (A2-C), and (3) the ratio of the A wave (A) to the total diastolic amplitude (D) of the apexcardiogram (A/D). The diastolic amplitude time index (DATI) was calculated according to the following formula DATI = (square root A2-C/TART)/(A/D). In the normal subjects the diastolic amplitude time index was 0.82 +/- 0.26 (mean +/- standard deviation). In group 1 this index was within normal limits; in groups 2 and 3 it was decreased (0.23 +/- 0.07 and 0.18 +/- 0.05, respectively). This index showed excellent correlation with specific compliance of the left ventricle (r = +0.90) and close correlations with the maximal rate of decrease of left ventricular pressure (minimal dP/dt) (r = +0.79) as well as the velocity of lengthening of the contractile elements at minimal dP/dt (r = +0.77); less close correlation was obtained with the end-diastolic volume compliance (r = +0.67). These results demonstrate that the diastolic amplitude time index reflects interpatient differences in both relaxation ability and diastolic distensibility of the human left ventricle. Thus, this measurement provides an important new method for noninvasive evaluation of the overall function of the left ventricle during diastole.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

Temperature dependence of the Kováts retention index. The entropy index.

According to a novel equation, the temperature dependence of the Kováts retention index, dI/dT is proportional to the difference of the Kováts retention index, I, and the new entropy index, I(S), defined similarly as the retention index, but based on solvation entropy instead of the free energy of solvations. The new relationship was tested with the experimental retention and thermodynamic data published by Kováts and coworkers for 32 compounds on 6 different stationary phases. Very good correlations (r>0.99) were observed for dI/dT versus (I-I(S)) and dI/dT versus deltaDeltaC(p), the molar heat capacity difference of the solute and the hypothetical n-alkane, which has the same retention index as the solute. Deviations in the dI/dT versus deltaDeltaC(p) relationship were observed only for alcohols, suggesting a different solvation mechanism for alcohols as compared with other compounds.

Chromatography, Gas↗
PubMed2006

A novel index of insulin resistance determined from the homeostasis model assessment index and adiponectin levels in Japanese subjects.

Insulin resistance is the principal cause of glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes and induces progression of severe atherosclerosis in these patients. Adiponectin, the adipose-specific proteins, is known to correlate negatively with insulin resistance in patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential of using serum adiponectin levels as a marker of insulin resistance in various states of insulin resistance. Furthermore, we attempted to establish a modified index of the homeostasis model assessment index (HOMA-IR), calculated from the product of serum insulin and plasma glucose levels divided by serum adiponectin levels (HOMA-AD). We recruited 117 Japanese subjects with various degrees of glucose tolerance and determined serum adiponectin levels and insulin sensitivity (M-value) by using the euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp technique. M-value, the gold standard index of insulin resistance, correlates significantly and independently with fasting insulin (r=-0.313, P<0.001), glucose (r=-0.319, P<0.001), and adiponectin (r=0.241, P<0.002) levels. M-values were more significantly correlated with HOMA-AD (r=-0.643, P<0.001) than HOMA-IR values (r=-0.591, P<0.001). In subjects with moderate hyperglycemia (fasting glucose levels>8.0mmol/L, n=30), HOMA-AD showed a more significant correlation with the M-value than HOMA-IR (r=-0.535, P=0.005 versus r=-0.461, P=0.010). We would therefore like to propose a novel index, HOMA-AD, as a simple and adequate index for determining insulin resistance even in diabetic patients with overt hyperglycemia.

Adiponectin↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A prognostic index (bladder prognostic index) for bilharzial-related invasive bladder cancer.

PURPOSE: Bladder cancer is still the most common solid tumor among adult males in Egypt because of the prevalence of bilharzial infestation, especially in the countryside. In this prospective study, we have recorded the prognostic factors for 180 patients with invasive bladder cancer for whom standard radical cystectomy had been performed to develop a prognostic index (bladder prognostic index) that defines high risk patients who are more vulnerable to disease relapse after surgery and who may benefit from additional therapy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was performed between January 1997 and December 1999, in which 180 patients with histopathologically proved invasive bladder cancer associated with bilharziasis underwent radical cystectomy or anterior pelvic exenteration. After surgery, patients were regularly followed for a minimum of 2 years. RESULTS: Our patients included 141 males and 39 females. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common type (53.3%), and most of the tumors were grade II (61.1%). A total of 173 patients had their tumors operable, while 7 were inoperable. We had 5 (2.8%) operative related mortalities. At 5 years postoperatively, free and overall survival rates for the whole group of patients were 31.44%+/-5.9% and 32.5%+/-6.8%, respectively. Tumor pathologic stage, grade, and nodal affection were the only significant factors with impact on survival (P=0.008, 0.051, and 0.004, respectively). These 3 prognostic indexes were used to design a model to predict an individual patient's risk factor for recurrence. Patients were then assigned to one of the 4 risk groups according to the score achieved in this prognostic index (0=low risk, 1=intermediate risk, and 2 or 3=higher risk). These 4 risk groups had distinctly different rates of disease-free survival, i.e., 91.7%, 53%, 13%, and 7% for low, intermediate, and higher risk groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: Although this prognostic index appears to be of a significant clinical relevance, it needs to be more validated on a larger number of patients, and it could be a surrogate variable for biologic factors responsible for the heterogeneity of bladder cancer.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Comparison of a new composite index based on midlatency auditory evoked potentials and electroencephalographic parameters with bispectral index (BIS) during moderate propofol sedation.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Derived parameters of the electroencephalogram and auditory evoked potentials can be used to determine depth of anaesthesia and sedation. However, it is not known whether any parameter can identify the occurrence of awareness in individual patients. We have compared the performance of bispectral index and a new composite index derived from auditory evoked potentials and the electroencephalogram (AAI 1.61) in predicting consciousness, explicit and implicit memory during moderate sedation with propofol. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with spinal anaesthesia received intraoperatively propofol at the age-corrected C(50) for loss of consciousness and were presented test words via headphones. Bispectral index and AAI 1.61 (auditory evoked potentials, AEP-Monitor2) were recorded in parallel as well as the Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation-score. Postoperatively, testing for explicit and implicit memory formation was performed. RESULTS: Bispectral index and AAI 1.61 correlated well with loss of consciousness defined by an Observer's Assessment of Alertness/Sedation-score of 2 (identical P(K) of 0.87), but did not allow a prediction of postoperative explicit or implicit recall. CONCLUSIONS: Both bispectral index and AAI may be indices of depth of sedation rather than indicators of memory formation, which persists during propofol sedation even after loss of consciousness.

Acoustic Stimulation↗
PubMed2003

The AAI index, the BIS index and end-tidal concentration during wash in and wash out of sevoflurane.

The bispectral index (BIS), auditory evoked potential index (AAI) and the end-tidal sevoflurane concentration were studied during induction and emergence in 10 ASA I-II patients. Both during 'wash-in' and 'wash-out' of sevoflurane, the AAI and BIS indices show huge variability and an overlap of indices between awake and not responding to command. This was the most pronounced during induction and the range of values was larger for the AAI index as compared with the BIS index. Mean (range) BIS was 85 (73-98) and 48 (10-83) awake and unconscious, respectively, and mean AAI index was 71 (43-99) and 21 (4-85), respectively. This study demonstrates the difficulties of using processed EEG variables in real time in a clinical situation of non-steady state pharmacodynamics.

Anesthetics, Inhalation↗
PubMed1997

Relationship between calculated blood concentration of propofol and electrophysiological variables during emergence from anaesthesia: comparison of bispectral index, spectral edge frequency, median frequency and auditory evoked potential index.

We studied four electrophysiological variables (bispectral index (BIS), 95% spectral edge frequency (SEF), median frequency (MF) and auditory evoked potential index (AEP index) in 10 patients during emergence from anaesthesia. We compared correlation of the signals with gradually decreasing calculated blood propofol concentrations, and evaluated the signal differences between preinduction and emergence from anaesthesia. Values of BIS, MF and SEF correlated with calculated blood concentrations of propofol during emergence from anaesthesia. The correlation was best with BIS, but was poor with MF and SEF at low calculated blood propofol concentrations. Although AEP index values did not correlate with calculated blood concentrations of propofol during emergence from anaesthesia, values after eye opening and before anaesthesia were well distinguished from those during emergence from anaesthesia. BIS correlated best with calculated blood concentrations of propofol. AEP index appeared to distinguish the awake from asleep state.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2002

A comparison of patient state index and bispectral index values during the perioperative period.

UNLABELLED: The patient state index (PSI), a quantitative electroencephalographic index, has been recently introduced into clinical practice as a monitor for assessing consciousness during sedation and general anesthesia. We designed this observational study to compare the sensitivity and specificity of the PSI with that of the bispectral index (BIS) with respect to their ability to predict the loss of consciousness and emergence from anesthesia, as well as to assess changes in IV (propofol) and inhaled (desflurane) anesthetics during the maintenance period. Twenty consenting patients scheduled for elective laparoscopic surgical procedures were enrolled in this prospective clinical study. Anesthesia was induced with propofol 2 mg/kg IV and fentanyl 1 micro g/kg IV, and tracheal intubation was facilitated with cisatracurium 0.3 mg/kg IV. Desflurane 4% in combination with nitrous oxide 60% in oxygen was administered for the maintenance of anesthesia. Comparative PSI and BIS values were obtained at specific time intervals during the induction, maintenance, and emergence periods. The changes in these indices were recorded after the administration of propofol (20 mg IV) or with 2% increases or decreases in the inspired concentration of desflurane during the maintenance period. With logistic regression models, both the BIS and PSI were found to be effective as predictors of unconsciousness (i.e., failed to respond to verbal stimuli) (P < 0.01). The PSI also correlated with the BIS during both the induction of (r = 0.78) and emergence from (r = 0.73) general anesthesia. However, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for detection of consciousness indicated a better performance with the PSI (0.95 +/- 0.04) than the BIS (0.79 +/- 0.04). During the maintenance period, the PSI values were comparable to the BIS in response to changes in propofol and desflurane but displayed greater interpatient variability. Finally, the PSI (versus BIS) values were less interfered with by the electrocautery unit during surgery (16% versus 65%, respectively). In conclusion, the PSI may prove to be a viable alternative to the BIS for evaluating consciousness during the induction of and emergence from general anesthesia, as well as for titrating the administration of propofol and desflurane during the maintenance period. However, further studies with the PSA device are needed to determine its role in anesthesia. IMPLICATIONS: The patient state index could be a useful alternative to the bispectral index for assessing level of consciousness during the induction of and emergence from anesthesia, as well as for titrating IV and volatile anesthetics during surgery.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Performance of the ARX-derived auditory evoked potential index as an indicator of anesthetic depth: a comparison with bispectral index and hemodynamic measures during propofol administration.

BACKGROUND: Autoregressive modeling with exogenous input of middle-latency auditory evoked potential (A-Line autoregressive index [AAI]) has been proposed for monitoring anesthetic depth. The aim of the current study was to compare the accuracy of this new index with the Bispectral Index (BIS), predicted effect-site concentration of propofol, and hemodynamic measures. METHODS: Twenty female patients scheduled for ambulatory gynecologic surgery received effect compartment controlled infusion of propofol. Target effect-site concentration was started at 1.5 microg/ml and increased every 4 min by 0.5 microg/ml. At every step, sedation level was compared with monitoring values using different clinical scoring systems and reaction to noxious stimulus. RESULTS: Bispectral Index, AAI, and predicted propofol effect-site concentration were accurate indicators for the level of sedation and loss of consciousness. Hemodynamic variables were poor indicators of the hypnotic-anesthetic status of the patient. BIS correlated best with propofol effect-site concentration, followed by AAI. Hemodynamic measurements did not correlate well. No indicators predicted reaction to noxious stimulus. Poststimulus, BIS and AAI showed an increase as a result of arousal. This reaction occurred more rapidly with the AAI than with BIS. CONCLUSION: Bispectral Index, AAI, and predicted propofol effect-site concentration revealed information on the level of sedation and loss of consciousness but did not predict response to noxious stimulus.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

The individual RDH index: a novel vector index for statistical assessment of antihypertensive treatment reduction, duration, and homogeneity.

We propose a new vector index for the statistical assessment of antihypertensive treatment duration and homogeneity from ambulatory blood pressure monitoring. We termed this approach for evaluating and comparing blood pressure coverage offered by antihypertensive drugs over 24 h as the reduction-duration-homogeneity index. The reduction-duration-homogeneity index is a three-component vector index that incorporates information about the reduction, duration, and homogeneity of antihypertensive treatment, as well as their statistical significance. The advantages of the reduction-duration-homogeneity index are demonstrated by several comparative examples.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

A symmetrical indexing scheme for decagonal quasicrystals analogous to Miller-Bravais indexing of hexagonal crystals.

The problems of redundancy and superfluous indices in indexing the planes and axes in a decagonal quasicrystal are considered, using a scheme of five coplanar vectors in the quasiperiodic plane and one perpendicular vector. Of all the indexing schemes in use, this scheme offers the maximum advantage. An analogy is drawn to the hexagonal system using Miller-Bravais indices. Based on this, a symmetry-based indexing system for decagonal phases is devised that follows a simplified approximate zone law analogous to the exact zone law for the hexagonal case. The indices based on this scheme will be designated as ;Frank indices'. High-symmetry electron diffraction zone-axis patterns as well as powder X-ray diffraction patterns are indexed using Frank indices and compared with those of other indexing schemes.

Alloys↗
PubMed2005

SNAP index and Bispectral index during different states of propofol/remifentanil anaesthesia.

The accuracy of the new SNAP index with the Bispectral index (BIS) to distinguish different states of propofol/remifentanil anaesthesia was compared in 19 female patients who were undergoing minor gynaecological surgery. Comparisons of the SNAP index, BIS, spectral edge frequency, mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate were performed. The ability of all parameters to distinguish between the steps of anaesthesia -awake vs. loss of response, awake vs. anaesthesia, anaesthesia vs. first reaction and anaesthesia vs. extubation - were analysed with the prediction probability. The prediction probability to differentiate between two interesting nuances of anaesthetic states -loss of response vs. first reaction - was calculated. Only the BIS showed no overlap between the investigated steps of anaesthesia. Both the SNAP index and BIS failed to differentiate the nuances of anaesthesia. The SNAP index and BIS were superior to mean arterial blood pressure and heart rate and spectral edge frequency in distinguishing between different steps of anaesthesia with propofol and remifentanil and provided useful additional information.

Adult↗
PubMed2005

Elongation index as a new index determining the severity of left ventricular systolic dysfunction and mitral regurgitation in patients with congestive heart failure.

The shape of the left ventricle is an important echocardiographic feature of left ventricular dysfunction. Progression of the mitral regurgitation and consequent left ventricular remodeling is unpredictable in heart failure. Elongation index is an index of left ventricular sphericity. The surface area of the elongated ventricle is larger than that of a spherical one. The objective of this study was to assess the relation between elongation index and the degree of mitral regurgitation along with noninvasive indices of left ventricular function. Thirty-two patients (21 male, 11 female, mean age: 57 +/- 6 yrs) with congestive heart failure and mitral regurgitation were included. Patients were stratified into three groups according to vena contracta width as having mild (n = 11), moderate (n = 11) and severe mitral regurgitation (n = 10). The elongation index (EI) was considered as equal to {[(left ventricular internal area-measured) - (theoretical area of the sphere with measured left ventricular volume)]/(theoretical area of the sphere with measured left ventricular volume)}. Ejection fractions by the modified Simpson rule, dP/dt and sphericity index (SI) were also recorded. The relationship between (EI), ejection fraction, dP/dt and SI reached modest statistical significance (p < 0.05). When the EI and SI were compared, the correlation was also significant (p < 0.01). The areas under the receiver operator curve of EI and SI for discriminating dP/dt < 1000 mm Hg/s were 0.833 and 0.733, respectively. In conclusion, the elongation, which defines the shape of the left ventricle, might be related to the systolic function of the left ventricle and the degree of the mitral regurgitation. Further studies are needed to demonstrate its use in other clinical entities.

Adult↗