Myocardial map derived from two-dimensional echocardiography: reproducible and standardized description of infarction topographies.

The aim of this study was to improve the reproducibility and the standardization of the topographical assessment of myocardial infarctions in routine two-dimensional echocardiography. A myocardial map of the left ventricle was derived from a necropsy study of normal human hearts; interventricular grooves and papillary muscles were used as anatomical landmarks defining 16 segments with similar planimetered surfaces. A reporting sheet was prepared, with diagrams of standardized echo sections and with a map showing the position of the corresponding outlines.

[Changes in passive left ventricular pressure-volume relations in acute volume expansion].

The passive left ventricular pressure-volume relationship characterises left ventricular distensibility. However, it has recently been shown that acute pharmacological intervention can significantly change the position of the diastolic pressure-volume curve. We studied the effects of acute volumic expansion on the passive left ventricular pressure-volume relationship.