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PubMed2000

Evaluation of regional wall motion and quantitative measures of ventricular function during dobutamine stress echocardiography in pediatric cardiac transplantation patients.

BACKGROUND: Graft coronary disease is a leading cause of death in patients who have undergone cardiac transplantation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate regional wall motion response and quantitative measures of ventricular function during dobutamine stress echocardiography (DSE) in pediatric transplantation patients. METHODS: Eleven patients were evaluated the first year after transplantation (10/11 no rejection). Ten of the 11 were reevaluated 1.2 +/- 0.3 years later (9/10 no rejection). RESULTS: Dobutamine stress echocardiography revealed the following: (1) baseline regional wall motion abnormalities in 80% that resolved in all, (2) increased heart rate and blood pressure, (3) no change in left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, (4) decreased end-systolic diameter, (5) decreased wall stress and increased velocity of circumferential fiber shortening, (6) increased VCFcZ score (representing systolic left ventricular function), and (7) a decreased mitral passive-to-active filling ratio. Patients with rejection had abnormal VCFcZ scores at rest. CONCLUSIONS: Pediatric transplantation patients without rejection have baseline regional wall motion abnormalities. With DSE, the following are present: (1) resolution of wall motion abnormalities, (2) increased contractility independent of load, and (3) changes in diastolic parameters that reflect increased heart rate. Patients with rejection may have abnormal contractility at rest.

Child↗
PubMed1996

Effects of valve substitute on changes in left ventricular function and hypertrophy after aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: Residual left ventricular hypertrophy adversely affects long-term outcome after aortic valve replacement. A stentless biological valve in the aortic position has been shown to offer a better hemodynamic profile than a stented one. However, it remains to be defined whether this difference is translated into inter-mediate-term effects on left ventricular structure and function. METHODS: One hundred thirty-seven patients receiving single aortic valve replacement (52 with concomitant coronary artery bypass graft) were enrolled in this study. Ninety-eight were men, and the mean age was 68 years (range, 55 to 90 years). Of the 137 patients, 39 had an aortic homograft, 72 a Toronto stentless porcine valve, and 26 had a stented porcine or bileaflet mechanical valve, with mean valve size of 25 +/- 2.5 mm (mean +/- standard deviation). Left ventricular muscle mass and function were assessed by M-mode echocardiography performed before and 0.5, 6, 12, 24, and 36 months after operation, and recorded on paper for off-line digitizing. Peak valve prosthesis pressure gradients were quantified by continuous wave Doppler. RESULTS: A total of 330 echocardiograms obtained during this study were adequate for computer digitizing. Clinical data, preoperative left ventricular function, and hypertrophy were similar between the three groups. Significant improvement in left ventricular function and major regression of left ventricular hypertrophy had occurred in the entire population by 6 months after operation. Multivariate analysis of variance showed that patients with previous aortic regurgitation had a larger left ventricular cavity size (p < 0.001) and greater mass index (p = 0.001) postoperatively than those with previous aortic stenosis. In addition, peak valvular gradient was lower (p < 0.001), mass index less (p < 0.001), and left ventricular function more normal both systolic, by a greater peak velocity of dimension shortening (p = 0.05) and wall thickening (p = 0.002), and diastolic, by a greater peak velocity of dimension lengthening (p = 0.046), with an aortic homograft or stentless porcine valve compared with a mechanical or stented biological valve. There was no significant difference in peak valve gradient, left ventricular mass index, or function between the aortic homograft and the stentless porcine valve. Age, sex, and concomitant coronary artery bypass graft, as well as aortic cross-clamp time, cardioplegia method, and valve size all proved to be insignificant determinants of postoperative left ventricular hypertrophy or function. CONCLUSIONS: In the first 2 years after implantation, the superior hemodynamic performance of aortic homograft and stentless porcine valve appears to result in more extensive regression of ventricular hypertrophy and greater improvement of left ventricular function than occurs with a mechanical or stented biological valve. These findings encourage the use of a stentless biological valve in older patients requiring aortic valve replacement, and a larger scale long-term randomized study of stentless versus stented biological valve or mechanical valve seems warranted.

Aged↗
PubMed1986

Simultaneous measurement of left ventricular function and myocardial perfusion during a single exercise test: dual isotope imaging with gold-195 m and thallium-201.

The state of left ventricular function and myocardial perfusion are important determinants of prognosis in patients with coronary artery disease and information on both can be valuable for planning individual patient management. We have studied the feasibility of simultaneous measurement of left ventricular ejection fraction with ultra short-lived gold-195 m (half life 30.5 seconds) and myocardial perfusion with thallium-201, at rest and after exercise with a single-crystal gamma camera. The results with first-pass radionuclide angiocardiography (RNA) using gold-195 m at rest were reproducible and agreed closely with the results obtained using technetium-99 m equilibrium radionuclide angiocardiography (r = 0.93). Ejection fraction by first-pass gold-195 m RNA during semi-supine ergometric exercise decreased by greater than 5% in 13 out of 18 patients with coronary artery disease and stable angina. Simultaneous myocardial imaging with thallium-201 was abnormal in all patients. The change in regional wall motion abnormality score during exercise correlated with the change in myocardial perfusion (r = 0.71, P less than 0.01) and with the change in global left ventricular ejection fraction (r = 0.77, P less than 0.001). The widely differing energy levels and half-lives of gold-195 m and thallium-201 made it possible to separate clearly the images due to each radionuclide. This study has demonstrated the feasibility of simultaneous or sequential assessment of left ventricular function and myocardial perfusion during a single exercise test, a technique which can offer advantages in clinical evaluation of patients with coronary artery disease.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Mechanisms of improved left ventricular function following intravenous MDL 17,043 in patients with severe chronic heart failure.

To evaluate the mechanisms for improved left ventricular function with MDL 17,043 in patients with severe chronic heart failure, 24 patients were evaluated by simultaneous determination of hemodynamics by right heart catheterization and ejection fraction by computerized nuclear probe before and following intravenous administration of MDL 17,043 (mean cumulative dose 3.6 mg/kg). Following MDL 17,043, there was an increase in cardiac index (+62%), stroke volume index (+42%), and stroke work index (+68%), together with a decrease in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (-46%), indicating improved left ventricular pump function. There was a marked reduction in systemic vascular resistance (-40%) and a modest reduction in arterial pressure, indicating decreased left ventricular outflow resistance. The ratio of peak systolic blood pressure to calculated left ventricular end-systolic volume tended to increase, but the change was not statistically significant. Despite a marked increment in stroke volume index, left ventricular ejection time corrected for heart rate was shortened, suggesting enhanced contractility. In the group as a whole, the calculated left ventricular end-diastolic volume remained unchanged, but it increased in 14 patients. Since pulmonary capillary wedge pressure fell in each patient, this suggests improved overall left ventricular distensibility. Thus, decreased left ventricular outflow resistance, and possibly increased contractile function, and improved left ventricular diastolic compliance may all contribute to improved left ventricular pump function with MDL 17,043 in patients with severe heart failure.

Aged↗
PubMed2006

Bundle branch reentrant tachycardia in a patient with a calcified bicuspid aortic valve and normal ventricular function.

We report the case of a bundle branch reentrant tachycardia (BBRT) in a 40-yearold patient with a calcified bicuspid aortic valve and normal left ventricular function. The ventricular tachycardia was eliminated by successful radiofrequency ablation of the right bundle branch. As the aortic valve annulus is in close proximity to the specialized conduction system, premature degeneration of a bicuspid aortic valve may involve the bundle of His and the proximal bundle branches by invading calcifications. We speculate that calcifications invading the proximal bundle branches from the bicuspid aortic valve may have created the substrate for the BBRT in this patient.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

Five-year outcomes after stenting of unprotected left main coronary artery stenosis in patients with normal left ventricular function.

BACKGROUND: We analyzed the long-term (5-year) outcome of patients treated with stenting for unprotected left main coronary artery (LMCA) stenosis. METHODS: Between January 1995 and September 2001, 187 consecutive patients with unprotected LMCA stenosis and normal left ventricular function underwent elective stenting. Patients were examined or interviewed after 1, 3 and 6 months, and every 4 months thereafter for the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE), including death, myocardial infarction (MI) and target lesion revascularization (TLR). RESULTS: The procedural success rate was 99.5%. During hospitalization, there were no deaths and only one stent thrombosis. Six-month angiography in 162 patients (follow-up rate, 86.6%) showed a restenosis rate of 33.3%. During 5-year follow-up, there were 13 deaths (6 cardiac, 7 noncardiac) and 2 nonfatal MI. TLRs were required in 36 (20.9%) patients and new lesion revascularizations were required in 13 (5.0%) patients. At 1, 3 and 5 years, the cumulative probabilities for freedom from MACE were 79.9+/-1.8%, 77.5+/-2.5% and 77.5+/-2.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The initial favorable outcomes of patients with normal left ventricular function after stenting of unprotected LMCA stenosis were sustained for up to 5 years.

Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary↗
PubMed1986

[Evaluation of left ventricular function and coronary sinus blood flow during exercise after aortocoronary bypass surgery. Influence of revascularization of the left anterior descending artery].

Left ventricular function and coronary sinus blood flow at rest and during exercise were evaluated in 27 patients after aortocoronary bypass surgery and in 13 normal subjects (G-C). Twenty patients (G-1) had successfully revascularized left anterior descending artery (LAD). In 7 patients (G-2), the revascularization for LAD was not complete. There was no difference among 3 groups in stroke work index (SWI), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and coronary sinus blood flow (CSF) at rest. SWI during exercise in G-2 (44.7 +/- 14.7 g. M/beat/m2) was significantly lower than that in G-1 and G-C (67.9 +/- 15.0, 77.2 +/- 17.0 g.M/beat/m2) (p less than 0.02, p less than 0.002). LVEDP during exercise in G-2 (32 +/- 6 mmHg) was significantly higher than that in G-1, G-C (17 +/- 7, 13 +/- 3 mmHg) (p less than 0.001, p less than 0.001). CSF during exercise in G-2 (160 +/- 64 ml/min) was significantly lower than that in G-1, G-C (357 +/- 79, 290 +/- 113 ml/min) (p less than 0.001, p less than 0.002). These data indicated that left ventricular function during exercise and coronary sinus blood flow reserve for exercise in patient with completely revascularized LAD was significantly better than that in patients with incompletely revascularized LAD.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Collagen network remodelling and left ventricular function in constrictive pericarditis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether patients with constrictive pericarditis have changes in collagen content and architecture that could influence left ventricular function. DESIGN: Cohort study. SETTING: University teaching hospital. PATIENTS: Biopsy specimens of myocardium from 13 patients admitted consecutively for treatment of chronic constrictive pericarditis were compared with normal heart tissue taken at necropsy from 15 patients free of cardiac disease. INTERVENTION: Pericardiectomy through median sternotomy. Biopsy specimens (4 or 5) were taken from the left ventricular free wall. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Biochemical and histological assessment of total collagen content, relative proportion of type I and III collagen, and amount of orthogonal collagen fibre meshwork (crosshatching) in the left ventricular tissue. RESULTS: There was more collagen in the myocardium of patients with constrictive pericarditis than in controls when measured either biochemically by hydroxyproline content (89.4 v 50.4 mg/g dry weight) or by histological measurement of the collagen fraction of the myocardium (2.4% v 7.0%). Neither of these measurements, however, correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction, pulmonary wedge pressure, or right ventricular end diastolic pressure. The thickness of the fibrous trabeculae in the myocardium was, however, inversely related to both left ventricular ejection fraction (r = -0.76) and deceleration time (r = -0.68). Trabecular thickening was also related to NYHA class, with those in class III and IV having the greatest thickening. CONCLUSION: Changes in collagen content and architecture may contribute to impaired ventricular function in patients with chronic constrictive pericarditis.

Adult↗
PubMed1986

[Assessment of ventricular function by thermodilution in controlled ventilation with positive end expiratory pressure].

Controlled mechanical ventilation with PEEP can induce important haemodynamic modifications. The aim of this study was to focus on right ventricular function, often altered with that kind of respiratory support. Bed-side assessment of right ventricular function was made possible through thermodilution technique. Eleven patients receiving PEEP from 0 to 15 cmH2O were studied. Right ventricular end-diastolic volume (RVEDV), cardiac output (CO) and right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) were obtained for each patient. Increasing PEEP produced the same disturbances in nine patients, i.e. decreased RVEF. Blood volume expansion brought back to normal the haemodynamic values. Two patients had a decrease in CO and RVEF associated with an increase in RVEDV. In one of these two patients, dobutamine corrected the RV dysfunction. Using thermodilution technique, abnormalities of RV preload can be accurately assessed. From these data, the most appropriate treatment can then be chosen.

Adult↗
PubMed2006

[Quantification of right ventricular function in congenital heart disease: correlation of 3D echocardiography and MRI as complementary methods].

PURPOSE: In congenital heart disease, the exact determination of the right ventricular function is of high importance for therapeutic and especially surgical planning. The aim of this study was to correlate the parameters of the right ventricular function in MRI and 3D echocardiography to determine the agreement of both modalities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 18 patients suffering from congenital heart disease, 3D echocardiography was performed using a Philips Sonos 7500 system. In MRI short axis slices with a 4-mm distance were acquired using an SSFP sequence on a Siemens Sonata or Symphony System. Volumetry for both modalities was performed on an external workstation (Tomtec) using the EchoView software. RESULTS: Enddiastolic and endsystolic volumes showed a highly significant correlation with coefficients of 0.996 and 0.990, respectively. In echocardiography there was a systematic slight underestimation of enddiastolic volumes and overestimation of endsystolic volumes. The Wilcoxon test did not show significant differences between the volumes and ejection fractions assessed by both modalities. CONCLUSION: There is an excellent correlation in the quantification of right ventricular volumes in MRI and 3D echocardiography, which allows a comparison of acquired volumes in clinical follow-up.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2006

The use of myocardial contrast echocardiography in the assessment of left ventricular function recovery after primary percutaneous coronary intervention in the setting of acute myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Despite successful reperfusion therapy of acute myocardial infarction and complete restoration of infarct-related artery patency, the improvement of systolic function in long-term outcome depends on preserved microvasculature integrity. Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) is a useful technique for identification of viable myocardium. AIM: To assess the value of real-time myocardial contrast echocardiography (rt-MCE) in prediction of left ventricular function improvement in patients with anterior wall acute myocardial infarction as well as selection of the optimal cut-off value for the number of dysfunctional segments with preserved complete perfusion, in order to predict the global left ventricular function improvement during one-month observation. METHODS: Rt-MCE was performed in 74 patients (50 men, aged 58+/-11 years) with anterior wall myocardial infarction, treated with primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) within 12 hours from the onset of symptoms. After estimation of regional contractility disturbances and global systolic function of the left ventricle, rt-MCE was performed with contrast assessment of dysfunctional segments (normal contrast pattern=2, heterogeneous=1, lack of contrast=0). Regional perfusion score index (RPSI) was calculated by adding the perfusion indices and dividing by the number of dysfunctional segments. RESULTS: Of a total of 1184 visualised segments, 344 (29.1%) were dysfunctional (189 hypokinetic, 155 akinetic). Contractility improvement was observed in 192 segments (preserved viability in 105 hypokinetic and 37 akinetic segments). In a group of 44 patients with systolic function improvement, 34 of them had preserved viability, and in a group of 30 patients without LVEF improvement, in 22 of them myocardium viability was not observed. Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of rt-MCE in prediction of left ventricular global improvement were 72.7%, 73.3% and 73%, respectively, whereas in prediction of regional function improvement these values were 73.9%, 77% and 75.5%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Rt-MCE performed in the early phase of myocardial infarction enables the prediction of left ventricular regional and global function improvement in patients treated with primary PCI.

Aged↗
PubMed1985

Right ventricular function after extracardiac conduit repair for tetralogy of Fallot. A comparison among surgical approaches.

Right ventricular volume measurements and hemodynamic studies were performed in 20 patients after total correction of tetralogy of Fallot. There were 6 patients with an extracardiac conduit and Hancock xenograft (G-1), 8 with an outflow tract patch (G-2) and 6 without or with a minimal right ventriculotomy and repair of pulmonary valve (G-3). The age at the time of operation was over 3 years in each patient and averaged 5 +/- 2 (mean +/- SD) years. Right ventricular systolic pressure averaged 81 +/- 22, 55 +/- 22 and 58 +/- 30 mmHg in G-1, G-2 and G-3, respectively. Right ventriculography showed no contraction of the right ventricular free wall at the anastomosis to the conduit and poor contraction around the anastomosis in G-1. The right ventricular enddiastolic volume index (RVEDVI) was 114 +/- 31, 155 +/- 57 and 115 +/- 28 ml/m2 in G-1, G-2 and G-3, respectively. The right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) was 0.42 +/- 0.11 in G-1, 0.53 +/- 0.04 in G-2 (p less than 0.05, vs G-1) and 0.57 +/- 0.04 in G-3 (p less than 0.02, vs G-1). Pulmonary regurgitation was evident in 17 patients, and RVEDVI correlated well with degrees of pulmonary incompetence. Fourteen patients in G-2 and G-3 were divided into G-A and G-B to evaluate right ventricular function with or without pressure overloading of the right ventricle. G-A consisted of 7 patients with a right ventricular systolic pressure of more than 50 mmHg (74 +/- 26) and G-B of 7 patients with a value less than 50 mmHg (39 +/- 4). There was no difference in RVEDVI and RVEF between G-A and G-B. RVEF was significantly lower in G-1 than G-A (p less than 0.02) and G-B (p less than 0.05). These results suggested that an extracardiac conduit with Hancock xenograft reduced the contraction of the right ventricular free wall and induced a depressed right ventricular pump function in patients with a high right ventricular pressure.

Bioprosthesis↗
PubMed2004

Strategy for identifying an efficient dosage of beta-blocker for elderly patients with myocardial ischemia and preserved left ventricular function.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the strategy of titration for prescribing an efficient dosage of propranolol to reduce myocardial ischemia in the elderly. METHODS: The study comprised 14 elderly men (73.6 +/- 5.3 years) with stable coronary heart disease documented on coronary cineangiography, ischemic response to exercise testing, and preserved left ventricular function. Titration was performed to identify the dosage of propranolol that would cause a 15% reduction in heart rate at the end of a 50 W load (corresponding to normal daily activities in the elderly) in weekly exercise tests. Synchronous scintigraphic study of the cardiac chambers was performed at rest and during exercise prior to and after propranolol use. RESULTS: The reductions in heart rate with the 50 W load and at rest were similar (21% vs 20%; P=0.5100). Propranolol improved the duration of exercise (12.2 +/- 2.0 min vs 13.1 +/- 1.8 min; P=0.0313) and abolished the changes in the ST segment induced by exercise in 8 (57%) patients. At rest, the ejection fraction was not modified by the beta-blocker. During maximum exercise, propranolol reduced the end-systolic volume index and increased ejection fraction. CONCLUSION: The strategy of using beta-blockers to reduce heart rate by 15% with a 50 W load is safe and beneficial in the elderly patient with myocardial ischemia and preserved ventricular function. The dose of beta-blocker used reduced myocardial ischemia and improved tolerance to exercise without hampering ventricular performance during maximum exercise.

Adrenergic beta-Antagonists↗
PubMed1992

Anomalous origin of left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery: evolution of left ventricular function and perfusion after surgery in a 44-year-old man.

Anomalous origin of left coronary vessel from the pulmonary artery is an almost universally fatal form of congenital heart disease unless appropriate corrective surgery is performed at an early age. A case was diagnosed in a symptomatic 44-year-old man who presented an impairment of systolic left ventricular function. The abnormality was successfully treated with ligation of the left coronary artery combined with left internal mammary artery anastomosis. Left ventricular function improved dramatically six months after surgery, both at rest and during exercise. Such an evolution suggests that surgery may be indicated not only in infants but also in adults with this congenital heart abnormality.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

[Changes in left-ventricular function in chronic congestive heart failure treated with digoxin, furosemide and vasodilators].

48 patients (62.8 +/- 9.1 yrs) with III or IV NYHa class congestive heart failure after 2-week therapy with digoxin (D) and furosemide (F) underwent two-dimensional echocardiographic examination to assess left ventricular function. Then in 25 patients (group I) DF and nifedipine (N) were given within 2 weeks, D, F, N and captopril (C) within 4 weeks and again D, F, N within 2 weeks. In 23 patients (group II) isosorbide dinitrate (S) was administered instead of nifedipine. 2-DE examination had been performed at the end of the each study stage. Optimal daily drug dose were: D-0.34 +/- 0.07 mg, F-40.7 +/- 12.5 mg, S-44.3 +/- 10.4 mg and 75.8 +/- 26.4 mg. Nifedipine and isosorbide dinitrate administrated with digoxin and furosemide did not improve left ventricular function in comparison with a standard therapy (DF). The best positive changes were observed in both groups during treatment with captopril. Ejection fraction by Teichholz increased from 42.9 +/- 15.0% during DF stage to 45.2 +/- 11.5% (DFNK stage) in group I (p less than 0.001) and from 35.3 +/- 10.5% to 36.4 +/- 10.4% in group II respectively (p greater than 0.01). Left ventricular systolic and diastolic internal diameters significantly decreased (p less than 0.05) whereas stroke volume and cardiac indices nonsignificantly increased (p greater than 0.05). Captopril with digoxine, furosemide and nifedipine caused significant hemodynamic improvement. Effect of captopril with nifedipine was greater that of captopril with isosorbide dinitrate.

Adult↗
PubMed1980

Echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular function.

The ability of echocardiography to assess left ventricular function is entering an era of transition. Most existing data have been derived from M-mode measurements made along a single echo beam axis and, as such, were based on the assumption that the performance of the sampled segment represented that of the whole ventricle. The recent availability of two dimenensional echocardiography lessens the need to rely on this assumption.

Echocardiography↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Relation between major indices of prognosis in patients with chronic congestive heart failure: studies of maximal exercise oxygen consumption, neurohormones and ventricular function.

Peak exercise capacity (Peak VO2), neurohormonal changes, ventricular enlargement and ejection fraction are among the most important determinants of prognosis in congestive heart failure. However, the inter-relation between these parameters is unknown. We, therefore, correlated these indices in patients with hemodynamically severe congestive heart failure (NYHA class II, pulmonary artery wedge pressure 25 +/- 2 mm Hg, cardiac index 2.5 +/- 0.2 l/min/m2, ejection fraction 43 +/- 2% and fractional shortening 19 +/- 1%). Peak VO2 measured directly during exercise by breath to breath expiratory gas analysis using a metabolic cart was 23 ml/min/kg. Plasma epinephrine (E) and norepinephrine (NE) were measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and plasma renin activity (PRA), aldosterone (Aldo), cortisol, prolactin, growth hormone, anti-diuretic hormone (ADH) and antinatriuretic peptide (ANP) by radioimmunoassay. Ejection fraction was measured by echocardiography. There was no relation between peak VO2 and any of the neurohormones E: r = -0.43, NE: r = -0.43, ANP: r = -0.49, Cortisol: r = -0.37, ADH: r = -0.07, Aldo: r = -0.45, 2 tail critical value 0.55. PRA showed a modest correlation (r = -0.61). Similarly, there was no relation between ejection fraction or degree of ventricular enlargement and any of the other indices (r = -0.05). We conclude that although peak VO2, neurohormonal profile and ventricular function are important individual prognostic determinants, there seems to be no direct relation between them.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Measurement of regional left ventricular function using labelled magnetic resonance imaging.

A technique for assessing regional left ventricular function using magnetic resonance imaging is described. Spatial modulation of magnetization (SPAMM) is effected immediately before images are obtained at various intervals during the cardiac cycle using a modified field echo even rephasing technique (FEER). By performing such modulation in two planes, a grid pattern of labelling can be produced across the image. On the resulting labelled short axis images of the left ventricle, the systolic increase in thickness (thickening) and decrease in length (shortening) of different regions of myocardium can then be measured. The findings in five normal volunteers are presented. Radial shortening was twice as great in the endocardium (mean 20.4%, standard deviation (SD) 5.7) than in the epicardium (mean 10.2%, SD 5.5) and appears to offer more promise as a marker of regional function than simple thickening (mean 9.8%, SD 13.6).

Adult↗