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Updated: Jun 27, 2026
Evaluation of Left Ventricular Structure and Function using 3D Echocardiography
Published on: October 28, 2020
Relationship between left ventricular function and wall motion synchrony in heart failure assessed by ECG-gated
Akira Yamamoto1, Naoto Takahashi, Masahiro Ishikawa
1Department of Radiology, Nippon Medical School, Tamanagayama Hospital, 1-7-1 Nagayama, Tama, Tokyo, 206-8512, Japan. a-yamato@ra2.so-net.ne.jp
Insights
Left ventricular (LV) function correlates with wall motion synchrony in ischemic heart disease (IHD) and other heart disease (OHD) patients. However, no significant difference in synchrony was found between IHD and OHD groups, with dyssynchrony noted even in preserved LV function.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Cardiac Electrophysiology
Background:
- Left ventricular (LV) function and wall motion synchrony are crucial in heart failure (HF) assessment.
- Distinguishing synchrony differences between ischemic heart disease (IHD) and other heart disease (OHD) is important for targeted therapies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To confirm the relationship between LV function and wall motion synchrony.
- To identify differences in synchrony between IHD and OHD patient groups within HF classifications.
Main Methods:
- Electrocardiograph-gated single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) was used.
- LV ejection fraction (EF), peak filling rate (PFR), and synchrony parameters (MD-TES, MD-TPF) were compared between IHD, OHD, and control groups.
Main Results:
- LV function significantly correlated with synchrony in both IHD and OHD groups.
- Dyssynchrony was observed in patients with normal EF and PFR, indicating potential for early detection.
- No statistically significant difference in LV synchrony was found between IHD and OHD patients.
Conclusions:
- LV function is confirmed to be correlated with wall motion synchrony.
- No significant difference in wall motion synchrony exists between IHD and OHD patients.
- Dyssynchrony can occur independently of global LV dysfunction, aiding early HF identification and treatment initiation.
Objective:
To confirm the relationship between left ventricular (LV) function and wall motion synchrony, and to identify the difference of synchrony between an ischemic heart disease (IHD) patient group and other heart disease (OHD) patient group among classified groups in heart failure, systolic, and diastolic parameters were compared using electrocardiograph-gated single-photon emission computed tomography.
Methods And Results:
Twenty IHD and 30 OHD patient groups, comprised New York Heart Association functional class I-III (IHD1-3 and OHD1-3), and 15 controls were examined. The LV functions (ejection fraction, EF; peak-filling rate, PFR) and synchrony, which was estimated from the time lag between the earliest and latest regional systolic or diastolic temporal parameters (maximum difference of regional time to end-systole, MD-TES, or maximum difference of regional time to peak filling, MD-TPF), were compared. The LV function correlated with its synchrony in IHD and OHD (EF vs. MD-TES: r = -0.86, P = 1.3 x 10(-6) in IHD and r = -0.69, P = 2.8 x 10(-5) in OHD. PFR versus MD-TPF: r = -0.67, P < 0.002 in IHD and r = -0.63, P < 0.0002 in OHD). Dyssynchronous normal EF was observed in three IHD (15%) and six OHD (20%). Dyssynchronous normal PFR was observed in six IHD (30%) and six OHD (20%). MD-TES was significantly smaller in control group (CG) than in IHD3 and OHD3 (P < 0.005), and in IHD1 than in IHD3 and OHD3 (P < 0.05). MD-TPF was significantly smaller in CG than in IHD2, IHD3, and OHD3 (P < 0.05). However, there was no significant difference between LV synchrony in IHD and OHD, or among LV synchrony of the same functional classes between these two groups.
Conclusions:
This study confirms that LV function is correlated with wall motion synchrony. No statistically significant difference was confirmed in wall motion synchrony between IHD and OHD. However, dyssynchrony appears in the patients without apparent global LV dysfunction. This feature may facilitate identification of synchronous disorder in HF patients with preserved global LV function. It is expected that detection of such a disorder may lead to the initiation of appropriate treatments for early stage HF and prevent its progression.
