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Strain and strain rate imaging in cardiomyopathy
Gillian C Nesbitt1, Sunil Mankad
1Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
Insights
Echocardiogram strain and strain rate imaging offer precise assessment of left ventricular (LV) function in cardiomyopathy (CM). These advanced techniques detect subtle abnormalities, aiding early diagnosis and treatment in CM patients.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- Echocardiography is crucial for assessing left ventricular (LV) function, especially in cardiomyopathy (CM).
- Conventional echocardiographic measures often lack sensitivity for subtle changes in myocardial contractility.
- Early detection of abnormalities in CM is vital for timely treatment and prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role and emerging applications of LV strain and strain rate (SR) imaging in the evaluation of cardiomyopathy (CM).
- To highlight how advanced deformation imaging improves characterization of myocardial mechanics in CM.
Main Methods:
- Review of technological advances in echocardiographic strain and SR imaging.
- Analysis of current literature on the application of strain and SR imaging in various cardiomyopathic conditions.
- Discussion of methods for incorporating strain and SR imaging into routine echocardiographic examinations.
Main Results:
- Strain and SR imaging provide more precise characterization of myocardial deformation compared to conventional methods.
- Emerging data demonstrate the utility of these techniques across diverse cardiomyopathies.
- These advanced imaging modalities show significant promise for improving patient care in CM.
Conclusions:
- Strain and SR imaging represent a significant advancement in echocardiography for CM evaluation.
- These techniques enhance the detection of subtle cardiac dysfunction, aiding diagnosis and management.
- Further research and clinical integration of strain imaging are expected to refine CM patient care.
Abstract:
The most common indication for an echocardiogram is for the assessment of left ventricular (LV) function and, in the evaluation of cardiomyopathy (CM), this becomes even more important. However, conventional echocardiographic measures of ventricular function are insensitive at detecting subtle perturbations in contractility. In patients with CM, the ability to detect abnormalities early in the course of the disease to establish a diagnosis can be critical and often may influence specific treatments administered as well as establish important prognostic information. Technologic advances in echocardiographic imaging during the last decade now allow for the measurement of LV strain and strain rate (SR) imaging. Strain and SR imaging allow for a more precise characterization of the mechanics of myocardial contraction and relaxation (deformation imaging) and emerging data are establishing the use of these techniques in a variety of different cardiomyopathic conditions. After establishing a common understanding of strain imaging as well as defining the methods by which these measures can be incorporated into an echocardiographic examination, we will review the accumulating information illustrating the great promise that this imaging modality has in the care of patients with CM. This review will focus on the role of strain and SR imaging in CM.
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