Quantification of left ventricular regional myocardial function using Doppler-derived velocity,displacement,strain and strain rate in healthy subjects

AIM To determine the normal values for tissue velocity,displacement,strain and strain rate for the regional myocardial wall segments in the left ventricular and the relation of these values with age.METHODS In 132 healthy volunteers,the left ventricular myocardial velocity,displacement,strain and strain rate were measured using Doppler tissue imaging.The measurements were obtained from basal,mid and apical segments of walls visualized from left ventricular apical 4-chamber,apical 2-chamber and long-axis views.Analysis of covariance was used to examine the effects of age.RESULTS Most parameters such as myocardial velocities,strain,systolic strain rate and displacement(except early diastolic strain rate and late diastolic strain rate) showed a strong dependence on wall segment position.All the parameters except systolic strain rate showed significant dependence on age.CONCLUSION Most parameters have a strong dependence on wall segment position and age.