Two-dimensional, non-Doppler strain imaging during anesthesia and cardiac surgery

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Anesthesiology
• Cardiac Surgery

Background:

• Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) is crucial for intraoperative monitoring during cardiac surgery.
• Current visual assessment of ventricular function via TEE is subjective and depends on operator expertise.
• Limitations of Doppler-based strain measurements necessitate more objective methods for assessing myocardial function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the utility of non-Doppler strain imaging for objective quantification of myocardial function.
• To explore the potential of 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography for assessing cardiac deformation in three dimensions.
• To determine if real-time non-Doppler strain can aid in detecting regional ischemia and global ventricular dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• Utilized non-Doppler strain imaging derived from tracking speckles in 2D echocardiographic images.
• Quantified longitudinal shortening, circumferential thinning, and radial thickening of the myocardium.
• Acquired data using standard midesophageal and transgastric views during comprehensive TEE examinations.

Main Results:

• Non-Doppler strain imaging bypasses Doppler limitations, offering objective myocardial deformation analysis.
• This method enables quantification of complex, three-dimensional myocardial movements.
• Standard TEE views can be used to acquire the necessary data for strain analysis.

Conclusions:

• Non-Doppler strain imaging provides objective, quantitative assessment of regional and global ventricular function.
• It overcomes the subjectivity inherent in visual TEE interpretation.
• Real-time availability of non-Doppler strain promises to be a valuable tool for intraoperative ischemia detection and functional assessment.