Objective To evaluate regional myocardial mechanical dysfunction of left ventricle in patients with ECG T-wave inversion using echocardiographic velocity vector imaging.Methods One hundred nineteen female patients with T wave inversion divided into three groups:V1-6 T-wave inversion group(52 patients),V1-4 Twave inversion group (33 patients),V3-6 T-wave inversion group (34patients),while selected 44 healthy women in control group.Peak systolic radial strain (SRSmax) and strain rate (SRSrmax),peak systolic circumferential strain (SCSrmax) and strain rate (SCSmax) were derived and compared from three short-axis views of left ventricle at 18 wall segments using a dedicated Syngo VVI software and workstation,and the depth of T-wave inversion in different precordial lead was measured and correlated with mechanics parameters between four groups.Results In V1-6 T-wave inversion group,each mechanical variable of anteroseptal,anterior,anterolateral and inferolateral walls decreased (P ＜0.05-0.01).In V1-4 T-wave inversion group each mechanical variable of anteroseptal,anterior and inferoseptal walls declined (P ＜0.05-0.01).In V3-6 T-wave inversion group four mechanical variables(i.e.,SRSmax SRSr SCSmax and SCSrmax) of anteroseptal,anterior,anterolateral and inferolateral walls reduced,mainly at basal segment (P ＜0.05-0.01).The ventricular segments of reduced SRSmax,SRSrmax and SCSrmax in V1-6 T-wave inversion group and of SRSrmax in V3-6 T-wave inversion group were more than those in V1-4 T-wave inversion group (P ＜0.05-0.01).In V1-6 T-wave inversion group,negative correlationships between radial mechanical variables of anteroseptal wall and the depths of V4 and V5 lead T-wave inversion were found (r =-0.29--0.37,P ＜0.05-0.01).Otherwise a positive correlationships between SCSmax of anterolateral wall and the depth of V3 lead T-wave inversion were established (rs =0.44,P =0.01) in V1-4 T-wave inversion group.Conclusions There is a regional myocardial dysfunction of LV in female patients with ECG T-wave inversion.The extent of electrical repolarization abnormality is correlated to the severity of regional myocardial dysfunction.

Objective To reveal the potential different longitudinal motion characteristics and differences of left and right muscular band (L-MB,R-MB)of interventricular septum (IVS) during systole and diastole in normal subjects.Methods Dual Doppler tissue imaging was applied for the longitudinal velocity curves of L-MB and R-MB of anterior and posterior interventricular septum(P-IVS,A-IVS) at basal,mid,and apical levels in eighty-two healthy subjects.Peak isovolumetric contraction (VIVC),systolic (Vs),early(Ve) and late (Va) diastolic velocities were measured,and myocardial velocity gradient(MVG)and Ve/Va ratio of each segment of L-MB and R-MB were calculated.Results ①Peak velocity of MB:the VrvC,Vs,Ve and Va of R-MB of both A-IVS and P-IVS were higher than those of L-MB; the VrvC,Vs,Ve and Va were gradually decreased from the base to apex of both A-IVS and P-IVS;the VIVC and Vs of A-IVS were higher than those of P-IVS; the Ve and Va of A-IVS were lower than those of P-IVS.②Correlation and MVG analyses of peak velocity of MB:the systolic and diastolic velocities between L-MB and R-MB of both A-IVS and P-IVS have shown a very strong positive correlation;the isovolumetric systolic MVG1 of L-MBof A-IVS,systolic MVG1 of R-MB of P-IVS and the diastolic MVG1 of both A-IVS and P-IVS were higher than those of MVG2.Conclusions The heterogeneity of longitudinal peak systolic and diastolic velocity and regional myocardial compliance,the consistency of moving direction and positive correlation of longitudinal peak systolic and diastolic velocity between L-MB and R-MB of both A-IVS and P-IVS have been demonstrated in normal subjects.

Objective To study regional myocardial function of right ventricle at different stages of cirrhosis,using velocity vector imaging combined with standard isometric grip strength test to reveal the mechanical function in patients with liver cirrhosis at early stage further,and to benefit reliable quantitative evaluation and efficacy indicators for the establishment of the early diagnostic criteria of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy by echocardiography,and found myocardial mechanics basis for explicit pathogenesis of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy.Methods Accorded to Child-Pugh score,the cirrhosis experimental groups were divided into three groups:group A (42 patients),group B (28 patients) and group C (12 patients).There were 31 patients in group A to be conducted standard isometric grip strength test.While 34 healthy people were selected as the control group.The dynamic gray scale long-axis view images of the right ventricle were collected in 3 complete cardiac cycles in apical four-chamber view.Peak systolic longitudinal strain (Smax) and global ejection fraction of the right ventricle were derived from 6 myocardial segments with the Syngo VVI workstation off-line.Results 1)Compared with the control group,in group A,global ejection fraction of the right ventricle was normal,there were not significant change of Smax of each segment (P ＞0.05).In group B,there was not significant change of global ejection fraction of the right ventricle,the Smax of each segment were increased mainly (P ＜0.05-0.01).In group C,global ejection fraction of the right ventricle was significantly lower (P ＜ 0.01),the Smax of each segment reduced mainly (P ＜ 0.05-0.01).2)Compared with group A,in group B,there was no significant difference of blood pressure and global ejection fraction of the right ventricle,while including the Smax of each segment in systole and diastole.Compared with group A and group B,in group C,systolic and diastolic blood pressure and global ejection fraction of the right ventricle decreased significantly; the Smax of each segment were reduced mainly (P ＜ 0.05-0.01).3)Compared with the resting state,after the standard isometric grip strength test,the global ejection fraction of the right ventricle decreased significantly,there was a significant reduction mainly in Smax of each segment (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions The regional myocardial function of right ventricle in patients with liver cirrhosis is abnormality even at early stage and could be revealed by standard isometric stress test.The right ventricular systolic dyfunction is related to the stages of liver cirrhosis disease.

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Objective To evaluate the characteristic of left ventricular rotation and twist in healthy adults using ultrasonic velocity vector imaging(VVI),and to discuss its biomechanical mechanism. Methods In 70 healthy adults, the rotational characteristic of left ventricular subendocardium and subepicardium at 3 differently standard shot-axis levels and 18 differently myocardial segments, and the torsional characteristic of left ventricular wall were evaluated via ultrasonic VVI. The maximum rotation angle(Rmax)at different sites of left ventricular wall and the maximum twist angle(Tmax)between left ventricular subendocardium and subepicardium in a completely cardiac cycle were compared respectively. Correlation tests were performed between left ventricular Tmax and the Rmax at different short-axis levels of left ventricular wall.Results ①To be compared with other myocardial segments, Rmax was smallest at antero-septal or anterior wall of the same left ventricular short-axis level(P>0.05).②The mainly rotational directions of the basal leveI and the apical level of left ventricular wall in a completely cardiac cycle were adverse.To be compared with basal or apical level of left ventricular wall,Rmax was smallest at papillary muscle level(P<0.05).and there was no statistical significance in Rmax between basal and apical level.There was positive colinearity between left ventricular Tmax and the Rmax of basal or apical level (P<0.01),but zero correlation was found between the Tmax and the Rmax of papillary muscle level.③Rmax of left ventricular subendocardium was bigger than that of subepicardium(P<0.01).Tmax of left ventricular subendocardium was bigger than that of subepicardium[(11.44±4.82)°vs(7.05±3.90)±,P<0.01].Conclusions Twist of left ventricular wall in healthy adults appeared the torsional characteristic of thin-wall cylinder.Elucidation of the biomechanical mechanism of cardiac twist is promising if basing on the principle of biomechanics.

Objective To develop an in vivo procedure f or His bundle pacing (HBP) and radio-frequency (RF) ablation of the atrio-ventricular node (AVN) guided by intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI). The procedure included a custom designed bipolar active fixation pacing lead and steerable delivery catheter, and a commercial RF generator and ablation catheter. Methods Six anesthetized- closed-chest canines were tested. The anatomy in the His bundle and AVN regions, and the onset of myocardial electro-mechanical activation were identified using ICE and TDI. The lead and RF ablation catheter were navigated using an ICE catheter (for local detailed imaging) and fluoroscopy (for global imaging). Surface QRS morphologies were recorded to confirm HBP and third degree block post-ablation. Results Direct His bundle pacing was achieved in one canine, and His + ventricular septal pacing in the remaining five. QRS width in sinus rhythm and HBP were ( 59.7-? 5.3-)ms and ( 82.8-? 16.6-)ms separately (P= 0.02-). The increased QRS width for HBP was due to early septal activation. HBP thresholds were ( 3.0-? 1.0-) volts at 0.5 ms (N=5 due to a late exit block). The mean procedure durations were: HBP 40 minutes (3 to 81 minutes), AVN ablation 3 minutes (2 to 5 minutes), and total X-ray exposure 13 minutes (1 to 55 minutes). Post-mortem analysis of the lead and ablation lesions confirmed correct anatomic localization for HBP and AVN ablation. Conclusions ICE provides precise anatomic guidance of HBP lead implantation and AVN ablation and can significantly reduce exposure to fluoroscopy.

Objective To detect stunned myocardium using low-dose dobutamine stress (DBS)combined with two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (2D-STI),and to evaluate the difference and characteristics of mechanical parameters in different conditions between stunned myocardium and adjacent normal myocardium.Methods The acute myocardium ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) of anterior wall of left ventricle(LV) was induced with 60 minutes ligation of left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD),and with reperfusion of 120 minutes in 10 open-chest beagle dogs.Dobutamine was administered continuously via vein with two different dose of 5 μg · kg-1 · min-1 and 10 μg · kg-1 · min-1.At baseline,post ischemia/reperfusion,after the first DBS and the second,the gray-scale dynamic images of three cardiac cycle of left ventricular short axis at the levels of mitral annulus,papillary muscle and apex were acquired.The systolic peak of circumferential strain (CS),radial displacement (RD) of eighteen segments of subendocardium and subepicardium were analyzed by Speckle tracking workstation.LV end-systolic dimension(LVIDS),LV end-diastolic dimension (LVIDD),LV eject fraction (LVEF),heart rate (HR),aortic valve forward flow velocity time integral(AV-VTI) were also measured.Results ①There was no statistical significance (P ＞0.05) under the conditions of baseline,post I/R,the first DBS and the second for LVIDD,LVIDS,LVEF,HR and AV-VTI.②Compared with baseline,the peak systolic subendocardium and subepicardium CS,RD decreased significantly at the apex and middle of short-axis anterior wall of LV under the conditions of post I/R;The parameters of the first DBS was significantly increased compared with the I/R (P ＜ 0.05) ; There was no difference between the two DBS and baseline(P ＞0.05).The peak systolic subendocardium and subepicardium CS,RD at the bottom segment of LV were no statistical significance under the four conditions.③There was no difference for anterolateral wall and anterior septum of LV at the level of papillary muscle under the four conditions.Conclusions ①Low-dose DBS combined with two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging can detect stunned myocardium accurately.② After the occurrence stunning myoeardium,the peak systolic subendocardium RD decreased slightly,subepicardium RD was normal,the subendocardium CS of the surrounding myocardium was still normal,and the peak systolic subepicardium CS decreased to some degree.

Objective To quantitatively assess the geometry configuration of mitral valve and annulus in the ischemic mitral regurgitation(IMR) and non-ischemic mitral regurgitation(NIMR) by real-time threedimensional transesophageal echocardiography (RT-3D-TEE),and provide a basis for surgical cardiac surgery.Methods 98 patients undergone RT-3D-TEE examination were enrolled in this study,and were divided into three groups:IMR group (n =43),NIMR group (n =33),and no mitral regurgitation group (control group,n =22).Full-volume 3D dynamic images of mitral annulus and valve were obtained.The images were off-line analyzed using Qlab 7.0 MVQ workstation,and the geometry indexes:area of leaflets (A3DE),area of anterior leaflet (A3DE Ant),area of posterior leaflet (A3DE Post),perimeter of annulus (C3D),anterolateral to posteromedial diameter of annulus (DAlPm),anterior to posterior diameter of annulus (DAP),annulus height (H),maximal prolapse height (HProl),maximal tenting height (HTent),volume of leaflet prolapse (Vprol),volume of the leaflets tent (Vtent),Aortic orifice to mitral plane angle (θ),angle of anterior leaflet (θAnt),non-planar angle of leaflets (θNPA),angle of posterior leaflet (θPost)and other mitral valve leaflets and annulus,were derived and statistically analyzed.Results Compared with the control group,significant increases of A3DE,A3DE Ant,DAP and θPost,and decreases of θ and θNPA were demonstrated in IMR group,the differences were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).Significant increases of A3DE,A3DE Ant,DAP,HProl,Vprol and θNPA,and decreases of θ,θAnt and θPost were explored in NIMR group,the differences were statistically significant (P ＜0.05).Compared with NIMR group,a reduction of A3DE,A3DE Ant,DAP,HProl and θNPA,and increases of θAnt and θPost were found in IMR group and the differences were statistically significant (P ＜0.05).Conclusions Both IMR group and NIMR group could lead to mitral annulus dilatation,leaflets area increase,and mitral annulus geometry change,the overall mitral annulus tends to flatten were more obvious in the NIMR group than those in IMR group.The prolapse is more prominent in NIMR group than those in IMR Group.The difference of mitral annulus geometry between IMR group and NIMR group indicates that the damage of the mitral leaflets and annulus might be more serious in NIMR group.

BACKGROUND:Acute myocardial infarction with acute onset is dangerous, but the aided diagnosis for hyperacute disease mainly depends on electrocardiogram. The advantages of tissue Doppler strain imaging were utilized to help early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.
OBJECTIVE:To observe left ventricular transmural peak radial strain and strain time-to-peak of subendocardiac muscle, midmyocardium and subepicardiac muscle using tissue Doppler strain imaging in dogs before and after acute myocardial infarction, and to assess its mechanical characteristics.
METHODS:A total of 16 Beagle dog models of acute myocardial ischemia were established by ligating left anterior descending coronary artery. The two-dimensional apical short-axis views of the left ventricle in five complete cardiac cycles were acquired and stored in TDI-Q workstation before and after acute myocardial ischemia. Transmural peak radial strain and strain time-to-peak of segment, subendocardiac muscle, midmyocardium and subepicardiac muscle at infarct region and baseline were observed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Peak radial strains at infarct and subendocardiac muscle, midmyocardium and subepicardiac muscle were decreased compared with the baseline (P<0.05). Peak strain gradient disappeared in each layer of infarct myocardium. Strain time-to-peak of the whole segment and infarct myocardium at different layers was significantly postponed (P<0.05). There was a positive correlation of peak radial strain between subendocardium and segment as wel as between medium and segment at baseline (r=0.617, P<0.01;r=0.556, P<0.01). This relationship disappeared at infarct region (r=0.338, P>0.05;r=0.218, P>0.05). Results indicated that after acute myocardial infarction, peak strain gradient disappeared at different layers at infarct region. Acute myocardial ischemia induces peak radial strain decrease at subendocardium, medium, subepicardium and strain time-to-peak at infarct region was significantly postponed, which reflected abnormal cardiac structure and dysfunction, resulted in uncoordinated cardiac motion and asynchronous heart movement. This may be an important mechanical mechanism triggering heart failure.