Myocardial performance is impaired in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion.

Objective To investigate whether the Tei index, which is an indicator of global myocardial function and an independent predictor of cardiac death, is increased in patients with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO). Methods The Tei index was used to evaluate myocardial performance, in addition to conventional echocardiographic evaluation of myocardial structural and functional changes, in patients with BRVO, patients with hypertension and healthy controls. Results Out of 36 patients with BRVO (18 female, 18 male; 17 hypertensive, 19 normotensive), 29 patients with hypertension (15 female, 14 male) and 28 healthy controls (15 female, 13 male), there were no significant between-group differences in age and sex. The mitral A wave was higher and mitral E/A ratio, mitral E wave and ejection time were lower, in patients with BRVO than in healthy controls. Mean Tei index was significantly higher in the BRVO group than in patients with hypertension or healthy controls. Compared with healthy controls, the Tei index was significantly higher in hypertensive and normotensive patients with BRVO. Conclusion Myocardial performance is decreased in patients with BRVO, independent of whether or not they have hypertension.