Is It Possible to Evaluate Regional Left Ventricular Myocardial Contractility with the Help of Reflected Intensive Motion Signals

Analysis of spectral Tissue Doppler (TD) systolic peak (s’) enables accurate assessment of regional myocardial contractility. Unfortunately, not all ultrasound scanners are equipped with TD software. Previously, we have demonstrated that systolic peak (s) of reflected intensive motion signals (RIMS) is useful in the evaluation of global systolic function of left ventricle (LV). In this study we decided to evaluate if peak s of RIMS can be used for analysis of LV regional myocardial contractility. 20 patients with coronary artery disease underwent Dopplerechocardiography with registration of TD and RIMS. Apical 4-chamber view was used. s’ and s peaks were recorded from apical lateral segment (TD s’a and RIMS sa) and basal lateral segment (TD s’b and RIMS sb) of LV. Correlations (r) between peak velocities of s’ and s were determined. Mean values of TD s’a and RIMS sa were 6.8 ± 1.6 cm/s and 11.0 ± 2.4 cm/s, respectively; correlation coefficient r appeared to be 0.86 (p< 0.05; RIMS sa = 2.5 + 1.2 * TD sa). Mean value of TD s’b was 10.1 ± 2.5 cm/s and of RIMS sb 16.8 ± 3.6 cm/s (r = 0.91; p< 0.05; RIMS sb = 3.2 + 1.3 * TD sb). Strong direct correlations between homological systolic peaks of TD and RIMS were found in our study. It means that peak s of RIMS can be used for evaluation of regional left ventricular myocardial contractility.