Objective To quantitatively evaluate the difference in global longitudinal strain(GLS)and global circumferential strain (GCS)of three-layers of cardium between diabetes mellitus (DM)patients using layer-specific speckle-tracking imaging.Methods Fifty-seven DM patients and sixty matched controls were enrolled in the study.GLS and GCS of three-layer cardium were assessed using layer-specific speckle-tracking imaging,available by GE Vivid E9 and EchoPac workstation.Results GLS of three-layer cardium in DM patients were significantly lower than those in normal controls (all P <0.05).GCS of endo-and mid-cardium were significantly lower in DM patients than in normal controls (P < 0.05 ).There was no statistical difference of GCS of epi-cardium between the two groups (P > 0.05 ).GLS and GCS of three-layer cardium was highest in endo-cardium and lowest in epi-cardium.Conclusions GLS of three-layer cardium may be a sensitive indicator of early left ventricular systolic dysfunction in DM patients with normal ejection fraction.

Objective To assess left ventricular (LV) twist in a rapid pacing induced heart failure canine model undergoing cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) by three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (3D-STI).Methods Rapid right ventricular pacing (RVP) was utilized in 22 adult beagle dogs for 3 weeks to induce heart failure.Then 15 dogs received CRT for 2 weeks and others were treated as control.Apical full-volume acquisition of the LV was obtained in conscious animals at baseline,the end of 3-week RVP and the end of 2-week CRT.Peak LV apical (AP-Prot) and basal rotation (MV-Prot) along with peak twist (Ptw) and torsion (Ptor) were automatically calculated by TomTec 4D LV Analysis 3.0 software to identify the ideal parameter in predicting treatment response of CRT.Results After 2 weeks of CRT,LV ejection fraction(LVEF) increased and LV end-systolic volume(LVESV) decreased significantly in dogs with heart failure.CRT treatment response,defined as improvement of LVESV≥15％,was observed in 9 dogs.Significant difference was found in Ptw [(7.43 ± 0.61) vs (6.06 ± 0.89)°,P ＜0.05] and Ptor [(1.43 ± 0.45) vs (0.67 ± 0.36)°/cm,P ＜0.05] between responders and nonresponders.Ptw and Ptor predicted CRT response with satisfying sensitivity as 89％ and 85％,specificity as 83％ and 84％,respectively.Conclusions Peak twist and torsion evaluated by 3D-STI represented overall LV twist and demonstrated potential prediction value for treatment response of CRT.

Objective To evaluate right ventricular (RV) global and regional systolic function using real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT-3DE) in patients with pulmonary hypertension (PH).Methods Thirty patients with PH and 27 controls were studied.RT-3DE images were acquired on a Philipa iE33 system with an X3-1 probe,then analyzed with a new software(TomTec) to determine RV global and regional (inflow, body, outflow) end-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV) and ejection fraction (EF).The difference of RT-3DE parameters between the two groups,as well as the correlation between RT-3DE and routine echoeardiography parameters was analyzed.Results In patients with PH ,RV global and regional EDV and ESV were significantly higher than those in normal controls (all P ＜0.05); RV global and regional EF were significantly lower than those in normal controls (all P ＜0.05).In the PH group, RV inflow EDV,SV and EF were higher than that of RV body and outflow part (P ＜ 0.05) ;RV global EF was lower than that of RV inflow part and higher than that of RV body and outflow part.In the PH group, RV global and inflow EF correlated with pulmonary artery systolic pressure negatively (r = - 0.611, P ＜0.001 and r = - 0.576, P = 0.001 ,respectively) ,and with the ratio of peak velocity of tricuspid regurgitation over outflow time-velocity integral negatively (r = -0.772, P = 0.002and r = -0.721, P ＜0.001, respectively)Conclusions RV global and regional volume was enlarged and systolic function was impaired in patients with pulmonary hypertension.RV global and regional systolic function was changed in liner relationship with RV after-load.

ObjectiveTo evaluate left ventricular systolic synchrony in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) by speckle tracking imaging (STI) and real-time three-dimensional echocardiography (RT3DE) and investigate the correlation with ECG-gated myocardial perfusion single-photon emission computed tomography (GMPS).MethodsA total of thirteen patients with CAD diagnosed by coronary angiography underwent STI and RT-3DE examinations.The data was analysed off-line using Qlab 8.0 software.STI systolic synchrony indexes included the standard deviation of times to peak strain in radial and circumferial direction in 12 left ventricular segments (Trs12-SD and Tcs12-SD),the standard deviation of times to peak longitudinal strain in 16 left ventricular segments (Tls16-SD).RT-3DE systolic synchrony indexes included the standard deviation of times to the minimum systolic volume in 16 and 12 left ventricular segments (Tmsv16-SD and Tmsv12-SD).GMPS was performed within one week before or after echocardiography.Phase analysis was performed offline using Emory Cardiac Toolbox software.Peak phase,phase SD,bandwidth,skewness and kurtosis were calculated.Results Trs12-SD derived from STI had a positive correlation with phase SD and bandwidth ( r =0.800,P ＜0.05 ; r =0.607,P ＜0.05).Tmsv16-SD derived from RT-3DE had a better positive correlation with phase SD and bandwidth ( r =0.847,P =0.001 ; r =0.890,P ＜0.001).ConclusionsTmsv16-SD derived from RT-3DE had a better correlation with GMPS parameters than STI parameters.RT-3DE assessment of left ventricular systolic parameters is expected to become the ideal synchronization indicator.

ObjectiveTo evaluate left ventricular (LV) function and dyssynchrony in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and complete left bundle branch block (CLBBB) by three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging(3D STI).Methods3D STI was performed and analyzed using TomTec 4-D LV analysis 3.0 software in 37 DCM patients with CLBBB and 25 healthy volunteers.The global 3D,longitudinal,circumferential,radial strains were measured.LV dyssynchrony was evaluated by the standard deviation of time to peak from 3D strain of 16 segments related to the heart cycle(3D-SDI).ResultsIn control group,uniformity in the average value of 3D strain was observed between apical,mid-ventricular and basal levels (P ＞ 0.05).Global 3D,longitudinal,radial and circumferential strains had excellent correlations with LV ejection fraction ( r =- 0.92,- 0.84,- 0.78 and 0.81,respectively,P ＜0.01).Compared with control group,global 3D,longitudinal,radial and circumferential strains were significantly lower in DCM patients ( P ＜0.01 for all).3D-SDI in DCM patients with CLBBB was significantly longer than that of volunteers ( P ＜0.01).3D-SDI increased with worsening LV systolic function regardless of QRS duration (P ＜0.05).ConclusionsWhen image quality is optimal,3D STI represents a promising novel technique for assessment of global LV function and dyssynchrony.

ObjectiveTo assess left ventricular (LV) twist in Beagle dogs with rapid-pacing induced heart failure by 3-dimensional speckle tracking imaging.MethodsSeventeen adult beagle dogs underwent rapid right ventricular pacing (RVP) to induce heart failure.Right ventricles were paced at 260 beats/min for 3 weeks.Apical full-volume acquisition of the LV was obtained in conscious animals at baseline and the end of 3-week rapid pacing.Peak LV apical rotation(AP-Prot) and basal rotation (MV-Prot) accompanied with peak twist (Ptw) and torsion were automatically calculated by TomTec 4D LV Analysis 3.0 software.The relation between LV twist and QRS duration was further studied.Results After 3 weeks of rapid ventricular pacing,AP-Prot,MV-Prot,Ptw decreased significantly [At-Prot:(13.96 ± 2.00) ° vs (5.85 ± 0.58)°；MV-Prot:(3.34± 0.38)° vs (2.13 ± 0.44)°； Ptw:(16.31 ± 2.01)° vs (7.08 ± 1.16)°,all P ＜0.05].Dogs with heart failure were divided into two groups according to the QRS duration:pQRSd group with QRS≥100 ms and nQRSd group with QRS＜100 ms.No significant difference was found in AP-Prot and MV-Prot between two groups ( P ＞0.05).In the pQRSd group,the peak of apical rotation occurred earlier than the peak of basal rotation [(162.89 ± 14.33) ms vs (91.43 ± 15.45) ms,P ＜0.05],which might resulted in further worsening of peak LV twist [pQRSd:(6.02 ± 0.74)° vs nQRSd:(7.91 ± 0.53)°,P ＜0.05].Conclusions LV twist dynamics was a good indicator of LV systolic function and had the potential to evaluate LV systolic dyssynchrony.

Objective To evaluate the impact of maintenance hemodialysis(MHD) on left ventricular(LV) strains via layer-specific speckle-tracking imaging (LSTI).Methods Twenty-eight MHD patients and 28 matched controls were enrolled in the study.Conventional echocardiography and LSTI were performed on patients before and shortly after one hemodialysis session,as well as on controls.Results LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) were markedly reduced after one session of HD [(52.3±22.4)ml/m2 vs (55.0±15.3)ml/m2,P=0.033],but still larger than the control group (47.4±6.4) ml/m2.LV ejection fraction (LVEF) decreased in MHD patients after HD [(62.5±8.1)% vs (64.6±7.3)%,P=0.06],which was similar to those in the control group (66.0±4.2)% and in MHD patient before HD (P=0.391).The three layer circumferential and longitudinal strains decreased in the order of the control group,patients before HD and after HD [CS-endo:(-26.3±3.6)% vs (-22.2±4.7)% vs (-19.2±5.4)%;CS-mid:(-19.0±2.7)% vs (-15.3±3.5)% vs (-13.0±3.8)%;CS-epi:(-11.1±2.3)% vs (-8.0±2.6)% vs (-6.5±2.3)%;LS-endo:(-23.7±3.0)% vs (-18.6±3.6)% vs (-16.4±4.5)%;LS-mid:(-20.9±2.7)% vs (-16.3±3.1)% vs (-14.0±4.1)%;LS-epi:(-18.4±2.4)% vs (-14.1±2.8)% vs (-12.0±3.6)%;all P<0.01],while the synchrony index,standard deviation of times to peak longitudinal strain,increased in these three groups [(3.6±1.0)% vs (6.3±1.5)% vs (7.5±2.2)%,all P<0.01].Linear correlation analysis showed ultrafiltration volume was negatively related with the difference of longitudinal strains before and after HD (difference of LS-endo:r=-0.428,P=0.023;difference of LS-mid:r=-0.423,P=0.025;difference of LS-epi:r=-0.422,P=0.025).Conclusions One session of HD may have injurious effects on LV strains and systolic synchrony.The reduction of ultrafiltration volumes may be helpful to protect cardiomyocytes.

The prevalence of patent foramen ovale (PFO) in adults is up to 20％-25％.PFO is associated with cryptogenic stroke in young patients,transient ischemic attack and several other diseases.Echocardiography plays a critically important role in screening of PFO,guidance during percutaneous intervention and follow up.The diagnosis of PFO by echocardiography were reviewed in this article.

Objective To quantitatively evaluate left ventricular layer-specific strain using speckle tracking imaging,and their relationship with age and gender in nornal subj ects.Methods GE Vivid E9 equipment with EchoPAC BT1 2 workstation were used.One hundred and nineteen healthy subj ects were enrolled in this study.Results Left ventricular global longitudinal and circumferential strain was highest in the endocardium and lowest in the epicardium.Longitudinal and circumferential 3-layer strain was highest in the apex and lowest in the base.Age and gender had little influence on the left ventricular layer-specific strain.Conclusions Speckle tracking imaging can quantitatively assess left ventricular layer-specific strain, providing another useful modality for evaluating cardiac function.

Objective To investigate longitudinal systolic function of transplanted heart using two dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography and tissue Doppler imaging.Methods 56 consecutive patients with heart transplant were recruited,according to myocardial biopsy and 1 year's follow up,they were divided into non-rejection group (group A) and rejection group (group B).36 healthy controls (group C) were also randomly recruited.Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF),pulmonary arterial systolic pressure,tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE),tricuspid annular plane systolic velocity (TAS') and global longitudinal strain (GLS) were calculated via Qlab 9.0 analysis software offline.Results Compared with group C,LVEF was reduced in group B (P ＜0.01).Differences of GLS,TAPSE,and TA-S' among groups were all statistically significant (P ＜0.01),group B＜group A＜ group C.LVEF,TAPSE and TA-S' were correlated with GLS (r =-0.64,r =-0.69,r =-0.71 ; all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Left and right ventricles were a functional unity,the systolic function of which was impaired in patients with heart transplant.