The Tei index of myocardial performance: applications in cardiology.

of classical echocardiographic indexes for the estimation of systolic and diastolic left ventricular (LV) function. The ejection fraction (EF, an index of systolic function) and LV volumes are subject to large errors when the ellipsoid shape of the heart becomes spherical. Age, rhythm and conduction disturbances, and changes in loading all affect the Doppler signal of transmitral flow, which is the most commonly used method for studying diastolic function. Tei Chuwa devised and published in 1995 an index of myocardial performance (the Tei index) that evaluates the LV systolic and diastolic function in combination. The Tei index has proved to be a reliable method for the evaluation of LV systolic and diastolic performance, with clear advantages over older established indexes and prognostic value in many kinds of heart disease.