Evaluation of the longitudinal contraction of the ventricle septum in patients undergoing off-pump coronary artery bypass graft surgery by strain rate imaging.

Background: Strain rate (SR) imaging is an emerging technique for assessing myocardial systolic and diastolic functions. This technique can provide assessment in real time and color mapping; it also can detect ischemia at its earlier stages in comparison with visual estimation of wall motion with other techniques.

Methods: This study group consisted of 9 patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery.