Asynchronous normal regional left ventricular function assessed by speckle tracking echocardiography: appearances can...

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging
• Physiology

Background:

• Speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) provides angle-independent quantification of regional left ventricular (LV) wall motion.
• Traditional visual wall motion analysis (WMA) is subjective.
• Understanding normal LV mechanics is crucial for diagnosing cardiac dysfunction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate regional differences in radial and longitudinal LV wall motion using STE in healthy subjects.
• To compare the timing of peak displacements relative to aortic valve closure (AVC).
• To assess potential LV shape changes during early diastole.

Main Methods:

• Eighteen healthy subjects underwent STE with parasternal short and apical long axis views.
• Radial and longitudinal peak displacements were measured at basal, mid, and apical levels.
• Time intervals from Q-wave to AVC and to peak displacement were recorded.

Main Results:

• WMA confirmed normal wall motion in all participants.
• Mean peak radial displacement was highest at the mid-level (6.9 mm), significantly greater than basal (5.9 mm) and apical (5.4 mm) levels.
• Peak radial displacement typically occurred after AVC (mean 60 ms post-AVC), while peak longitudinal displacement was more synchronous with AVC, highest at the basal segments.

Conclusions:

• Significant segmental variations in peak displacement exist across different LV levels in normal LV function assessed by STE.
• Discrepancies in the timing of peak radial and longitudinal displacement in early diastole suggest LV shape alterations.
• Radial displacement is maximal at the mid-cavity, whereas longitudinal displacement is maximal at the base in healthy individuals.