Noninvasive assessment of myocardial mechanics of the left ventricle in rabbits using velocity vector imaging.

Background: Our study aimed to investigate the feasibility of velocity vector imaging (VVI) to analyze left ventricular (LV) myocardial mechanics in rabbits at basal state.

Material And Methods: The animals used in this study were 30 New Zealand white rabbits. All rabbits underwent routine echocardiography under VVI-mode at basal state.

Four-dimensional echocardiography with B-flow imaging and spatiotemporal image correlation in the assessment of congenital heart defects.

Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the role of four-dimensional ultrasound with B-flow imaging and spatiotemporal image correlation (STIC) in the detection of congenital heart defects.

Methods: Automated longitudinal and transverse sweeping of the fetal chest was utilized to obtain the volume datasets of the heart. Among the fetuses recruited in the study, 20 were normal and 13 were fetuses with congenital heart anomalies.

Evaluation of regional left ventricular longitudinal function in 151 normal fetuses using velocity vector imaging.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical value of velocity vector imaging (VVI) in the assessment of normal fetal regional myocardial performance and to establish a normative data set for normal Chinese fetuses.

Methods: One hundred and fifty-one healthy Chinese fetuses were divided into five groups according to their gestational age. Digital dynamic four-chamber views were collected and analyzed offline.

Prenatal diagnosis of type 1 tracheal agenesis without tracheoesophageal fistula.

Tracheal agenesis is a rare and uniformly lethal congenital malformation. We recently had the opportunity to diagnose prenatally a case of type I tracheal agenesis without fistula in a 22-week-old fetus, in which the hyperechogenicity of the enlarged lungs was associated with ascites, and tracheal dilatation in the lower half. We report the ultrasonographic and autopsy findings and review the literature on this rare condition to contribute to the understanding of type 1 tracheal agenesis without tracheoesophageal fistula.

Assessment of regional myocardial function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy by velocity vector imaging.

Objective: To assess the left ventricular (LV) longitudinal systolic and diastolic function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) by syngo Velocity Vector Imaging (VVI).

Methods: Digital dynamic images of 30 DCM patients and 30 healthy subjects were collected; then the longitudinal velocity, strain, and strain rate were measured in systolic early and late diastolic periods, and the time to peak systolic velocity, strain, and strain rate were measured and recorded. The parameters of the two groups were compared.