Objective To assess the radial systolic function of left ventricle(LV) in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy(DCM) by velocity vector imaging(VVI).Methods Sixteen patients with DCM and twenty control subjects were detected by VVI.VVI data were collected from the six basal segments and six mid segments in parastenal LV short axis views.The radial systolic velocity(V) ,strain(ε) ,strain rate(SR),the time to peak systolic velocity(PTV) and the time to maximum strain(PTε) were measured with special software.The differene of the earliest and the latest time to peak velocity(T-max) and the standard deviation of time to peak velocity(T-SD) of 12 segments were calculated.Results Compared to the controlled group,patients with DCM had significantly lower radial V,ε and SR (P ＜0.01) in all the 12 segments,significantly longer PTV and PTε (P ＜ 0.05) in most segments, and significantly larger T-max and T-SD (P ＜0.05).Conclusions VVI is useful to assess the abnormalities in LV radial movement in patients with DCM and could provide more information about regional cardiac function.

Objectives To assess the effects of long-term angiotensin-converting enzyme(ACE) inhibitor treatment with captopril on cardiac function in acute myocardial infarction (AMI).Methods One hundred and one patients with AMIwho were admitted to hospital within 72 hours of the onset of symptoms with no cardiogenic shock were randomly allocated to captopril (n=52; group Ⅰ) and conventional treatment (n=49; group Ⅱ). Left ventricular (LV) systolic performance and diastolic transmitral flow velocity profiles were assessed by Doppler echocardiography at admission (1.2±1.1 days), before discharge (27±10 days) and during follow-up (363±31 days).Results At one year follow-up, in group Ⅰ LV end-diastolic volume decreased, and ejection fraction increased due to a disproportionate decrease in end-systolic volume. The incidence of cardiac dilatation was reduced. LV early diastolic filling velocity (E)increased and late atrial filling velocity (A) decreased, resulting in an elevation of E/A ratio.However, the mean values of LV systolic and diastolic functional parameters were unchanged in group Ⅱ.Conclusions Long-term treatment with captopril exerts a beneficial effect on cardiac protection for patients with AMI.

Objective To evaluate left ventricular wall motion changes after successful pereutaneous coronary artery intervention (PCI) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) by velocity vector imaging (VVI). Methods Twenty patients with acute MI, 16 anterior MI and 4 inferior MI,were studied by VVI within 3 days before PCI, 1 week and 3 months after PCI. The VVI parameters included peak systolic myocardial velocity (Vsys), peak systolic strain (εsys), maximal strain (εmax), peak systolic strain rate ( SRsys), isovolumic relaxation strain rate(SRivr),segmental ejection fraction (sEF), time to peak of velocity (TPKvel),and time to peak of strain (TPKε). Results Compared with that before PCI,εsys, SRsys, sEF, PSI, SRivr/SRsys, and TPKε were improved one week after PCI,and were further significantly improved at 3 months follow-up. Conclusions The VVI parameters can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of PCI shortly after the procedure and during long-term follow-up.