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Doppler myocardial imaging in the assessment of normal and ischemic myocardial function – past, present and future

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Abstract

Myocardial ischemia is associated with impaired regional myocardial function. Echocardiography is a suitable technique for the assessment of regional myocardial function as it is easily applicable and commonly available. However, most of the currently used echo-techniques are based on 2D images or M-mode traces. Therefore, they are limited either to the assessment of myocardial segments that can be insonated at 90° or are based on visually assessed wall motion scoring which is semiquantitative at best. Doppler myocardial imaging (DMI) is a new ultrasound technique which assesses the velocity of myocardial motion. Different parameters can be derived from this velocity information such as velocity time integrals, intramural velocity gradients and strain/strain-rate information. Moreover, DMI provides information of the timing of regional motion related to myocardial contraction and relaxation. These parameters are all assessed quantitatively, therefore, DMI is a promising technique to quantify myocardial function, avoiding the disadvantages of observer-dependant judgement of myocardial contraction.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Medizinische Universitätsklinik Würzburg, Germany

    Jörg M. Strotmann

  2. Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Gasthuisberg Leuven, Belgium

    Liv Hatle & George R. Sutherland

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  1. Jörg M. Strotmann
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  2. Liv Hatle
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  3. George R. Sutherland
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Strotmann, J.M., Hatle, L. & Sutherland, G.R. Doppler myocardial imaging in the assessment of normal and ischemic myocardial function – past, present and future. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 17, 89–98 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010679522539

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