Does the Increase of Body Mass Index (BMI) or Waist to Hip Ratio (WHR) Affect Left Ventricular Myocardial Performance Index (MPI) in Normal Men?

Abstract

Background: Despite its clinical use as a sensitive measure of left ventricular performance, little is known about whether MPI is influenced by increasing BMI or WHR. Aim: The present study is targeted at investigating the impact of different grades of BMI and WHR on left ventricular myocardial performance index in normal men. Method: 82 normal male subjects were involved in this study. The subjects were divided as per BMI groups into group Ia (BMI= 20-24.9, n=34, mean age 32.315±10.179 as a control group) and group IIa (BMI= >24.9, n=44, mean age 38.181±11.501); as well as, by dividing the subjects in to two groups according to Waist-Hip ratio, group Ib (WHR <0.8-0.9, n=45, mean age 31.8±8.91) and group IIb (WHR >0.9, n=37, age 39.918±12.239). MPI was determined in all these subjects using the formula proposed by Tie as MPI=IVCT+IVRT/ET. Results: There were statistically no significant variations in MPI with increased BMI (p>0.05) or WHR (p>0.05). There was no linear correlation between MPI and BMI (r= 0.0023), and MPI and WHR (r=0.0007). Conclusion: MPI is a simple and accurate tool for quantitative assessment of left ventricular functions and because of easy application, cost effectiveness, and reproducibility; it could be regarded as an important measurement in a comprehensive hemodynamic study, especially in those with increased BMI or WHR, in whom the increased BMI or WHR was found to have no effect on MPI.