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.

Objective To investigate value of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography timingexcursion parametric index and 17 segment volume curves index in patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy and constrictive pericardits.MethodsSeventeen patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy (proven by biopsy) ,six patients with constrictive pericardits (proven by CT or surgical),twenty subjects with normal left ventricular(LV) function were examined by Philips iE33 with X3-1 probe.Results Parameter index of Tmsv 16-SD,Tmsv 12-SD Tmsv 6-SD,Tmsv 16-Dif,Tmsv 12-Dif,Tmsv 6-Dif,Tmsv 16-SD(%) ,Tmsv 12-SD(%),Tmsv 6-SD(%),Tmsv 16-Dif(%),Tmsv 12-Dif(%),Tmsv 6-Dif(%) was significantly higher in patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy than that in subjects with normal LV function(all P ＜0.05).Average and maximum value and minimum of excursion was significantly lower in patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy than that in subjects with normal LV function (all P ＜0.005).Whereas,compare with subjects with normal LV function,the parametric indexes of timing-excursion and 17 segment volume curves were not significantly difference in patients with constrictive pericardits(all P ＞0.05).Conclusions Realtime three-dimensional echocardiography can evaluate and diagnose fastly restrictive cardiomyopathy and constrictive pericardits.

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 peak rotation in the endocardium(endo)and epicardium(epi)and peak mural torsion in patients with anterior wall acute myocardial infarction(AMI)before and after revascularization by speckle tracking imaging(STI).Methods The study comprised 20 normal controls and 21 consecutive xpatients with a first-episode anterior wall AMI with stenosis of the left anterior descending artery.All patients underwent Successful percutaneous coronary intervention within 12h onset of AMI.During one month, two patients were ruled OUt because one died of heart failure and the other suffered from persistent atrial fibrillation.Conventional echocardiography and STI were performed in normal controls and AMI patients before and one month after revascularization.Results In the left ventricle(LV)apical and basal level,peak endo-and epi-rotation and peak mural torsion in AMI patients were significantly reduced relative to those of normal control group(all P<0.01).One month after revascularization,there were significant changes in these three variables,especially in peak endorotation(P<0.01).Peak apical endo-rotation positively correlated with LV ejection fraction(LVEF)(r=0.717,P<0.01)and inversely correlated with LV end-diastolic volume(EDV)(r=-0.694,P<0.05).However,tight relations were not found among other variables at the two planes.Conclusions Peak endo-and epi-rotation and peak mural torsion can make the sensitive assessment of abnormal myocardial contractile performancein AMI patients using STI.

Objective To assess whether echocardiographic parameters of M-mode,pulsed-wave Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging which were usually used for selecting cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) candidates could predict CRT responders.Methods Twenty-nine patients with NYHA class Ⅲ or Ⅳ heart failure,left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)≤35%,QRS≥130 ms were enrolled.All of them underwent biventricular pacemaker implantation.The septal-to-posterior wall motion delay(SPWMD) from M-mode recording,and the standard deviation of time to peak systolic velocity(Ts-SD) were used to evaluate intraventricular dyssynchrony.The interventricular mechanical delay (IVMD) by pulsed Doppler echocardiography was calculated by subtracting the right ventricular preejection intervals (RV-PEI:the onset of the QRS on the electrocardiogram to the onset of pulmonary outflow) from the left ventricular preejection intervals (LV-PEI:the onset of the QRS on the electrocardiogram to the onset of aortic outflow).At least 15 % reduction in left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESV) at the 6-month after CRT was defined as responder.Results In the 29 patients,there were 20 (68.97%) responders.The area under the receiver operating curve(ROC) of SPWMD,Ts-SD,LV-PEI,RV-PEI and IVMD to predict CRT responders was 0.448 (95% CI 0.184-0.712,P＞0.05),0.557 (95% CI 0.317-0.798,P＞0.05),0.479 (95% CI 0.186-0.773,P＞0.05),0.568 (95 % CI 0.272-0.863,P＞0.05) and 0.411 (95% CI0.136-0.687,P＞0.05),respectively.Conclusions M-mode echocardiography,pulsed Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging failed to predict CRT responders.New echocardiographic techniques including threedimensional echocardiography and speckle tracking image will be investigated,and may improve the predictive power.

Objective To investigate the value of real-time three-dimensional echocardiography timing-excursion parametric index and 17 segment volume curves index in patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy.Methods Eight patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy (proven by biopsy),twenty eight subjects with normal left ventricular(LV) function were examined by Philips iE33 with X3-1 probe.Results Parameter index of the SD and maximum difference of Tmsv of 16 segments,12 segments,and 6 basal segments(Tmax 16SD,Tmsv-12SD Tmsv -6SD,Tmsv-16Dif,Tmsv-12 Dif,Tmsv-6Dif,Tmsv 16-SD%,Tmsv 12-SD%,Tmsv 6-SD%,Tmsv 16-Dif%,Tmsv 12-Dif%,Tmsv 6-Dif%) was significantly higher in patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy than that in subjects with normal LV function(all P＜0.001).Average and maximum value and minimum of excursion was significantly lower in patients with restrictive cardiomyopathy than that in subjects with normal LV function(P＜0.001,P＜0.005,P＜0.005).And parameter index of 17 segment volume curves index showed higher sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value and negative predictive value for diagnose restrictive cardiomyopathy.Conclusions Real-time threedimensional echocardiography can evaluate and diagnose restrictive cardiomyopathy fastly.