Detection of left ventricular dysfunction by global longitudinal systolic strain in patients with chronic aortic regurgitation.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether global longitudinal strain measured by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography could detect incipient myocardial dysfunction in patients with chronic aortic regurgitation (AR). Disclosing left ventricular (LV) dysfunction is of decisive importance for optimal timing of surgery but challenging because of the altered loading conditions.

Methods: Forty-seven patients referred for aortic valve replacement because of chronic AR were studied, along with 31 healthy controls.

Noninvasive separation of large, medium, and small myocardial infarcts in survivors of reperfused ST-elevation myocardial infarction: a comprehensive tissue Doppler and speckle-tracking echocardiography study.

Background: The objective of the study was to evaluate the ability of established and new parameters of global systolic left ventricle function to estimate myocardial infarct size. Increasing infarct extent is associated with impaired prognosis in chronic ischemic heart disease. Systolic myocardial deformation is a complex 3D process that is mainly influenced by the amount and transmural distribution of viable myocardium.

Detecting myocardial ischaemia using miniature ultrasonic transducers--a feasibility study in a porcine model.

Background: Detection of myocardial ischaemia during and after cardiac surgery remains a challenge. Echocardiography is more sensitive in ischaemia detection than echocardiography (ECG) and haemodynamic monitoring, but demands repeated examinations for monitoring over time. We have developed and validated an ultrasonic system that permits continuous real-time assessment of myocardial ischaemia using miniature epicardial ultrasound transducers.

Clinical assessment of left ventricular rotation and strain: a novel approach for quantification of function in infarcted myocardium and its border zones.

Left ventricular (LV) circumferential strain and rotation have been introduced as clinical markers of myocardial function. This study investigates how regional LV apical rotation and strain can be used in combination to assess function in the infarcted ventricle. In healthy subjects (n = 15) and patients with myocardial infarction (n = 23), LV apical segmental rotation and strain were measured from apical short-axis recordings by speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and MRI tagging.

Diagnostic capability and reproducibility of strain by Doppler and by speckle tracking in patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Objectives: The objective of the present study was to investigate the ability of strain by Doppler and by speckle tracking echocardiography in the acute phase in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) to diagnose left ventricular (LV) infarct size. Furthermore, we wanted to study at which time during the cardiac cycle strain should be measured.

Background: The assessment of regional myocardial dysfunction may be an important diagnostic tool in the evaluation of acute myocardial injury.