Noninvasive Assessment of Regional and Global Myocardial Contractility in Normal Control Subjects and in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathies.

The aim of the present study was to develop a new noninvasive approach for the assessment of regional and global myocardial contractility without the need for pharmacological intervention to alter load. Thirty-four healthy adults and five adults with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) were studied. Patients with diabetes mellitus and hyperthyroidism were eliminated from the study.