Assessment of Regional Myocardial Function in Patients with Dilated Cardiomyopathy by Velocity Vector Imaging

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the left ventricular (LV) longitudinal systolic and diastolic function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) by syngo Velocity Vector Imaging (VVI). METHODS: Digital dynamic images of 30 DCM patients and 30 healthy subjects were collected; then the longitudinal velocity, strain, and strain rate were measured in systolic early and late diastolic periods, and the time to peak systolic velocity, strain, and strain rate were measured and recorded. The parameters of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: All of the parameters of the DCM were significantly lower than those of the normal group (P < 0.05-0.01), except that the parameter of late diastolic strain was not different between the two groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: VVI is a novel noninvasive tool to assess quantitatively and objectively LV regional systolic and diastolic function in patients with DCM; it provides another useful modality for evaluating cardiac function.