Pattern Of Regional Wall Motion Research Articles

Recover of left ventricular function following immediate coronary artery bypass grafting in myocardial infarction

Objectives: The best time point for CABG following NSTEMI is controversially discussed. While keeping a time-lapse before revascularization for “cooling down” the infarction might improve perioperative safety, delayed revascularizations can hold the risk of prolonged ischemia leading to ventricular remodeling with loss of ventricular function. The aim of our study was to assess the outcome of patients receiving immediate CABG in the context of acute NSTEMI with special focus on the analysis of left ventricular function including regional wall motion patterns previous and after revascularization.

Longitudinally and circumferentially directed movements of the left ventricle studied by cardiovascular magnetic resonance phase contrast velocity mapping.

ObjectiveUsing high resolution cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), we aimed to detect new details of left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function, to explain the twisting and longitudinal movements of the left ventricle.MethodsUsing CMR phase contrast velocity mapping (also called Tissue Phase Mapping) regional wall motion patterns and longitudinally and circumferentially directed movements of the left ventricle were studied using a high temporal resolution technique in healthy male subjects (n = 14, age 23 ± 3 years).ResultsPreviously undescribed systolic and diastolic motion patterns were obtained for left ventricular segments (based on the AHA segmental) and for basal, mid and apical segments. The summation of segmental motion results in a complex pattern of ventricular twisting and longitudinal motion in the normal human heart which underlies systolic and diastolic function. As viewed from the apex, the entire LV initially rotates in a counter-clockwise direction at the beginning of ventricular systole, followed by opposing clockwise rotation of the base and counter-clockwise rotation at the apex, resulting in ventricular torsion. Simultaneously, as the entire LV moves in an apical direction during systole, the base and apex move towards each other, with little net apical displacement. The reverse of these motion patterns occur in diastole.ConclusionLeft ventricular function may be a consequence of the relative orientations and moments of torque of the sub-epicardial relative to the sub-endocardial myocyte layers, with influence from tethering of the heart to adjacent structures and the directional forces associated with blood flow. Understanding the complex mechanics of the left ventricle is vital to enable these techniques to be used for the evaluation of cardiac pathology.

Coronary Artery Anatomy and Apical Sparing in Apical Ballooning Syndrome: Implications for Diagnosis and Aetiology

Apical ballooning syndrome (ABS) is characterised by transient regional systolic dysfunction involving the left ventricular apex and mid-myocardial segments. The absence of obstructive coronary disease is required in some diagnostic criteria. Some investigators have suggested that a long "wrap-around" left anterior descending (LAD) artery may explain the pattern of regional wall motion abnormalities. We reviewed the coronary angiograms and ventriculograms findings in a prospective ABS cohort of 46 patients (mean age 63+/-13, female 96%). Normal smooth coronary arteries were observed in 54%, with 30% having minor irregularities. Moderate or severe coronary artery lesions were identified in 7 (15%) patients, including 4 with moderate LAD disease. The extent of the LAD artery around the left ventricular apex to the diaphragmatic surface of the heart was scored. This score was compared to 60 consecutive gender-matched control patients without ABS and no observed difference between the two groups (p=0.62). 42% had sparing of LV apical akinesis which was independent of the LAD extent. Moderate or severe coronary artery stenosis may co-exist in a small proportion of patients with ABS. Exclusion of these patients will underestimate the true incidence of ABS. The prevalence of "wrap-around" LAD is similar in ABS and non-ABS patients. Apical sparing in ABS is more consistent with aetiological hypotheses implicating LV stunning due to acutely elevated LV wall stress, rather than single or multi-vessel coronary spasm.

Regional Patterns of Left Ventricular Systolic Dysfunction After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage: Evidence for Neurally Mediated Cardiac Injury

Although left ventricular (LV) dysfunction has been described after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), its pathophysiology, regional distribution, and reversibility remain uncertain. To test the hypothesis that regional wall motion patterns in SAH patients do not match the typical patterns observed in coronary artery disease, a segmental wall motion analysis was performed in 30 SAH patients with LV dysfunction. Both regional (n = 21) and global (n = 9) wall motion patterns were observed. Preservation of apical function relative to the base was observed in 17 (57%) of the 30 patients. Many of the wall motion patterns were atypical of coronary artery disease but correlated with the distribution of the myocardial sympathetic nerve terminals. Five subjects had follow-up echocardiograms with resolution of LV dysfunction in all cases. In conclusion, a previously unreported, apex-sparing pattern of LV dysfunction is described, providing indirect evidence for a neurally mediated mechanism of cardiac injury. Limited data indicate that LV dysfunction in SAH patients is potentially reversible. (J Am Soc Echocardiogr 2000;13:774-9.)

Improvement in left ventricular dysfunction after aortic reimplantation in 11 consecutive paediatric patients with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery

To study the potential for recovery of left ventricular function in patients with anomalous origin of the left coronary artery from the pulmonary artery (ALCAPA) after aortic reimplantation, serial two-dimensional echocardiographic examinations were performed before and up to 9 months after operation in 11 consecutive paediatric patients (group 1: six infants; group 2: five children above the age of 1 year). End-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF), myocardial volume (MV), ratio of myocardial volume/end-diastolic volume (MVI), and regional wall motion of the left ventricle (LV) were studied. Pre-operatively, mean LVEDV was 339% of normal in group 1 and 289% in group 2 (P < 0.001); mean LVMV was about twice the normal value in both groups (P < 0.001); LVMVI was 0.79 +/- 0.23 in group 1 and 0.83 +/- 0.3 in group 2; LVEF was 28 +/- 10% in group 1 and 46 +/- 18% in group 2; regional wall motion was normal in two group 2 patients, the other showed uniform reduction in segmental shortening fraction. Postoperatively, mean LVEDV tended to become normal after 2 weeks in group 1 and after 3 months in group 2. In both groups mean LVEF reached the normal range after 3 months; LVMV as well as LVMVI normalized after 9 months. Three months after the operation, all infants had a nearly normal pattern of regional wall motion, while in three group 2 children a residual reduced shortening fraction could be observed in anterior or lateral segments.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Impaired left ventricular filling during ST‐segment depression provoked by dipyridamole infusion in patients with syndrome X

The left ventricular filling and regional wall motion patterns were compared in 6 normal subjects, 20 patients with coronary artery disease, and 10 patients with syndrome X by means of Doppler and two-dimensional echocardiography during high-dose (0.9 mg/kg body weight in 10 min) dipyridamole infusion. During the procedure none of the normal subjects had chest pain or significant ST depression (greater than 0.1 mV) whereas 10 of 20 patients with coronary artery disease had ST depression, 3 with chest pain. Six patients with syndrome X had ST depression, 5 with chest pain. Regional wall motion abnormalities were identified in 6 patients with coronary artery disease who had ST depression but none were detected in normals or in patients with syndrome X. Compared with normals (-2.1 +/- 3.5%) there was a significant difference in percentage decrease in the peak early filling velocity in patients with coronary artery disease and ST depression (-10.3 +/- 6.2%; p less than 0.01) and in patients with syndrome X and ST depression (-9.4 +/- 6.9%; p less than 0.05). These findings indicate that, in the presence of dipyridamole-induced ST depression, patients with syndrome X have an abnormal left ventricular filling pattern similar to that observed in patients with coronary artery disease. This suggests that myocardial ischemia occurs in patients with syndrome X but the absence of regional wall motion abnormality suggests that it is diffuse.

Radionuclide evaluation of right ventricular wall motion after surgery in tetralogy of Fallot.

Regional wall motion patterns in tetralogy of Fallot and its postoperative modifications by electrical and hemodynamic factors were assessed by Fourier analysis of gated radionuclide angiograms in 24 studies performed in children after surgical correction of tetralogy of Fallot. The range of right ventricular (RV) phase angles (standard deviation of the peak [SDP] of RV) as well as the difference between RV and LV (delta MPh) were used as indices of the synchronicity of wall motion and were correlated with RV apical electrical activation time determined by endocardial electrical mapping. Postoperative studies were divided into two groups according to apical activation: (a) those involving right bundle branch block (RBBB) (nine patients), and (b) those involving distal RBBB (15 patients). delta MPh was longer in proximal than in distal RBBB. Best discrimination between the two groups was obtained with SDP of RV (proximal = 24 degrees +/- 3 degrees, and distal = 17 degrees +/- 2 degrees; p less than 0.0001). These results showed that the range of ventricular phases measured by the SD of the phase distribution of the right ventricle is a good index for distinguishing between proximal and distal RBBB after cardiac surgery.

Studies on prolonged acute regional ischemia: II. Implications of progression from dyskinesia to akinesia in the ischemic segment

This study analyzed the pattern of regional wall motion in 58 dogs undergoing 4 to 6 hours of left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion. Regional wall motion was measured by ultrasonic crystals and ischemic muscle either remained dyskinetic (-40% of control systolic shortening, n = 26) or progressed toward akinesia (less than 20% of control systolic shortening or greater than 50% reduction in passive lengthening, n = 32). Ten dogs underwent unmodified blood reperfusion. Regional blood flow (radioactive microspheres), histochemical damage (triphenyltetrazolium chloride staining), and mitochondrial function were determined. Hearts showing persistent dyskinesia had more collateral flow (12 versus 2 ml/100 gm/min, p less than 0.05), less histochemical damage (26% versus 63% area at risk/area of nonstaining, p less than 0.05), and better retention of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation capacity (adenosine triphosphate, 622 versus 444 nmol/mg protein/min, p less than 0.05), and tended toward mitochondrial calcium accumulation (48 versus 64 nmol/mg protein). Unmodified blood reperfusion after 4 hours of ischemia produced prompt akinesia (-2% +/- 3% systolic shortening) and was associated with increased edema (82% water content), caused the low-reflow phenomenon (19% control subendocardial flow, 13 ml/100 gm/min), and increased histochemical damage (69% triphenyltetrazolium chloride nonstaining, p less than 0.05). These findings suggest that persistent dyskinesia during early ischemia (first 6 hours) may reflect a relatively optimistic sign, as regression to akinesia occurs in muscle with less collateral flow, more impaired mitochondrial function, worsened calcium homeostasis, and more severe histochemical and ultrastructural damage. These observations imply that careful evaluation of ischemic wall motion may provide a valuable insight into potential muscle salvage.

Left ventricular exercise echocardiographic abnormalities in apparently healthy men with exertional hypotension

Of a total of 1,435 healthy untrained asymptomatic individuals referred for a routine periodic check-up, 23 subjects with exertional hypotension on upright bicycle stress testing were identified. All were male. This study assesses by means of echocardiography the responses to exercise of left ventricular (LV) volumes, ejection fraction and segmental LV contractility in these subjects. Exertional hypotension was defined as a decrease in systolic blood pressure to below the resting value at the end of stress test. Supine systolic blood pressure after exercise was significantly greater in the control group than in the study group (179 vs 121 mm Hg, respectively; p < 0.001); there was no significant intra- or intergroup difference in the resting values. In the study group end-systolic volume was 37 ml at rest and 35 ml after exercise; ejection fraction varied from 65% at rest to 63% after exercise. The sex- and age-matched control group with a normal systolic blood pressure response to exercise showed a shift from 35 to 23 ml and 65 to 77%, respectively (p < 0.01 and 0.001). Ejection fraction correlated well with radionuclide angiography values. Exertional hypotension was noted after both upright and supine exercise. The pattern of regional wall motion remained unchanged or was hypokinetic in 87% of the subjects; only 13% presented the normally expected hyperkinesia after exercise. This study demonstrates that exertional hypotension is accompanied by an abnormal LV performance.

Value and limitations of radionuclide angiography in determining the cause of reduced left ventricular ejection fraction: Comparison of idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy and coronary artery disease

The radionuclide angiograms of 59 patients with a left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) <0.40, 23 with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDC) and 36 with coronary artery disease (CAD) were analyzed to assess the usefulness of radionuclide angiography in distinguishing these conditions. Mean right ventricular EF was lower in the IDC group than in the CAD group, 0.31 vs 0.45 (p < 0.01). LV wall motion was scored from 3 (normal) to −1 (dyskinesia). The incidence of akinesia was similar in IDC and CAD groups, 70% and 83%, respectively. Dyskinesia was more common in the CAD group (42% vs 17%), but the difference was not statistically significant. Segmental wall motion analysis showed similar patterns of wall motion in both groups, with contraction best preserved in the anterobasal, posterobasal and superolateral segments. Patients in the CAD group had worse apical motion (p < 0.01) and better wall motion in the anterobasal (p < 0.05) and superolateral walls (p < 0.01), compared with patients in the IDC group. To assess symmetry of contraction, a maximum difference score was derived for each patient. Symmetry (a score less than 1) was present in 5 IDC and no CAD patients, whereas asymmetry (a score of 2 or more) was present in 27 CAD and 7 IDC patients (p < 0.01). Wall motion became more symmetric in both groups when LVEF was less than 0.20. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the maximum difference score was the best predictor of the diagnosis, but only because of better separation at the extremes of maximum difference score values. Thus, because of the wide range of radionuclide ventriculographic abnormalities in both disorders, the pattern of regional wall motion should be used cautiously to distinguish a reduced EF caused by IDC from that caused by CAD.

Temporal pattern of regional left ventricular wall motion in patients with segmental early relaxation

AbstractThe purpose of this investigation was to describe the temporal pattern of regional left ventricular (LV) wall motion in patients with segmental early relaxation (SER). Segmental early relaxation was demonstrated angiographically in seven patients undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization because of chest pain. In all patients, early relaxation of only the anterolateral wall was observed. The temporal pattern of regional wall motion was assessed from ventriculograms, obtained in the right anterior oblique projection, by measuring the lengths of the anterolateral minor axis chord and the corresponding diaphragmatic minor axis chord. The onset of lengthening of the anterolateral chord preceded that of the diaphragmatic chord by 110 ± 10 msec. Maximal shortening of the anterolateral chord during systole was 43 ± 4% and was coincident with a 32 ± 4% shortening of the diaphragmatic chord. During early relaxation, shortening of the anterolateral chord diminished to 17 ± 4% (P &lt;.01); and was coincident with a 35 ± 4% shortening of the diaphragmatic chord (P &lt;.05). Early relaxation of the anterolateral wall was followed by a transient augmentation of shortening of the anterolateral chord to 29 ± 3% (P &lt;.001), whereas shortening of the diaphragmatic chord diminished to 32 ± 4%. Subsequently both chords returned to their initial end‐diastolic lengths. These preliminary observations indicate that early lengthening of the anterolateral segment is followed by a transient rebound of shortening which was only present in the segment that manifested early relaxation.

Limitations of two frame method for displaying regional left ventricular wall motion in man.

Regional abnormalities of left ventricular function are frequently determined from superimposed cavity outlines at end-diastole and end-systole. The timing of end-diastole is standardised with respect to the electrocardiogram, but that of end-systole is undefined, and frequently determined by simple inspection. To examine the effect of variation in the timing of the end-systolic frame on apparent regional wall motion, 35 left ventricular angiograms from patients wit ischaemic heart disease were digitised frame by frame, and the timing of aortic valve closure and mitral valve opening superimposed on contour displays. In 15 patients, the pattern in the two frame display with end-systole taken as aortic valve closure was similar to that when it was taken as mitral valve opening. In the remaining 20, however, there were major discrepancies between the two, because of changes in cavity shape during isovolumic relaxation. These shape changes were the result of asynchronous termination of systole in different regions of the ventricle. In addition, there was a significant increase in left ventricular cavity area of 3.9 +/- 1.7 per cent during isovolumic relaxation, corresponding to an increase in calculated volume of 8.1 +/- 4.5 per cent. Estimates of ejection fraction derived from end-systole taken at end-ejection were thus consistently greater than those at mitral valve opening. These differences in the apparent pattern of regional wall motion resulting from lack of definition of end-systole are large compared with those reported after intervention angiography, or surgery. Thus, if two frame methods are to be used, the timing of end-systole must be standardised. We suggest that end-ejection be used. Changes of shape during isovolumic relaxation should be considered separately.