Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 28, 2026
Ultrasonic Assessment of Myocardial Microstructure
Published on: January 14, 2014
What determines echogenicity in a general population? The Tromsø Study
H Schirmer1, P Lunde, K Rasmussen
1Institute of Community Medicine, University of Tromsø, Norway. henrik.schirmer@ism.uit.no
Background:
It is widely recognized that in some people it is difficult or impossible to acquire adequate measurements of cardiac performance and anatomy by any echocardiographic technique. We used our population-based screening to determine the characteristics of such unmeasurable subjects.
Method:
In a sample of 3287 subjects aged 25 to 85 years, we used standard 2-dimensional guided M-mode echocardiography and pulsed and color Doppler to assess left ventricular (LV) structure and function.
Results:
Of 3287 subjects only 0.4% could not be measured by any technique. In 2794 subjects M-mode registrations of good quality were obtained, which allowed calculation of LV mass and LV ejection fraction. Those in whom measurements could not be obtained had a significantly higher age, body mass index, blood pressure, waist/hip ratio, and were more likely to smoke, be a man, be taking antihypertensive medication, have a history of ischemic heart disease, and have a low level of physical activity.
Conclusion:
Because subjects with high cardiovascular risk factor levels are less likely to be measurable with echocardiography, a need exists for other noninvasive diagnostic methods in these persons.
