Early left ventricular systolic and diastolic dysfunction demonstrated by myocardial performance index and tissue Doppler imaging in psoriasis patients: Early deterioration of cardiac functions in psoriasis

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Psoriasis is a chronic, immune-mediated disease and associated with a higher prevalence of cardiovascular problems. In the present study, left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic functions in psoriasis patients were evaluated according to two-dimensional and tissue Doppler echocardiographic parameters. METHODS: Forty-two psoriasis patients and 31 healthy controls were included in the study. From transmitral inflow velocities, peak early (E) and late (A) diastolic velocities, and E/A ratios were measured. Myocardial performance index (MPI) was calculated using conventional Doppler parameters. For tissue Doppler analysis, peak systolic (Sm), peak early diastolic (Em) and peak late diastolic (Am) velocities were measured. In addition, Em/Am and E/Em ratios were calculated. RESULTS: Em from both septal and lateral sides of the mitral annulus were significantly lower in psoriasis patients. Em/Am ratios from septal and lateral sides of the mitral annulus were also significantly lower than control subjects. Sm from the septal side of the mitral annulus was significantly lower in the psoriasis group whereas it was not significantly different on the lateral side. In psoriasis patients, left atrial diameter, left atrial volume, E/Em ratio and MPI were significantly higher than those of control subjects. LV ejection fraction, E and A velocities, and E/A ratios were not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Left ventricular functions evaluated by more sensitive echocardiographic methods, such as tissue Doppler imaging and MPI, were significantly affected in psoriasis patients compared with healthy subjects. These findings may indicate early changes in cardiac structure and function in psoriasis patients.