The impact of metabolic syndrome on left ventricular function: evaluated by using the index of myocardial performance.

Aim: To evaluate the impact of metabolic syndrome on global left ventricular function by using the index of myocardial performance.

Methods: The study population included 106 patients with metabolic syndrome (66 male, 40 female, mean age =54+/-11 years) and 106 control subjects without metabolic syndrome (71 male, 35 female, mean age=53+/-10). The diagnosis of metabolic syndrome was based on The National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III criteria. All patients underwent two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic examination. The index of myocardial performance was determined as the sum of isovolumic relaxation time and isovolumic contraction time divided by left ventricular ejection time.

Results: The index of myocardial performance was found to be significantly higher in patients with metabolic syndrome compared with control subjects without metabolic syndrome (0.55+/-0.06 vs 0.38+/-0.04 respectively, p<0.001).

Conclusion: In the present study, we have shown the presence of impaired global left ventricular function in patients with metabolic syndrome compared with control subjects without metabolic syndrome. This finding emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and management of metabolic syndrome to prevent the progression of ventricular dysfunction to overt structural and symptomatic cardiac disease.