Quantitative evaluation of strain and strain rate imaging in normal subjects

Objective To quantitatively evaluate strain and strain rate of left ventricle(LV) and right ventricle (RV), and their relationship with age and sex in normal subjects. Methods GE Vivid 7 equipment with M3S probe (1-3 MHz) and Q-analysis software were used. Fifty healthy subjects were enrolled in this study. Results LV longitudinal strain and strain rate were significantly decreasing from basal mid to apical segments. No significant difference was found between the septal, anterior, posterior, inferior and lateral wall in LV. RV longitudinal strain and strain rate were the highest in the mid part of the free wall. The strain in RV basal segment was higher than that of LV. The strain and strain rate in both RV mid and apical segments were larger than those of LV. Age and sex had little influence on the myocardial longitudinal deformation. Conclusions Strain and strain rate imaging can quantitatively assess myocardial deformation, providing another useful modality for evaluating cardiac function.