Early detection of cardiac dysfunction: Use of the myocardial performance index in patients with anorexia nervosa

Patients with anorexia nervosa have functional cardiac abnormalities second ary to their nutritionally depleted state. These abnormalities include decr eased left ventricular (LV) mass and varying degrees of LV systolic dysfunc tion. Assessment of LV diastolic function and quantitative assessment of ri ght ventricular function are not routinely performed. The myocardial perfor mance index (MPI) is a relatively new, simple, quantitative measure of glob al myocardial function. The purpose of this study was to evaluate left and right ventricular function in 13 patients with anorexia nervosa with the MP I and compare it to more commonly used echo cardiographic measures of ventr icular function. (C) Society for Adolescent Medicine, 2001.