Assessment of left ventricular segmental function during acute ischemia reperfusion by strain and strain rate imaging

Objective:We aimed to investigate the feasibility of quantitative evaluation for regional left ventricular contractile function during acute ischemia reperfusion(AIR)using strain and strain rate imaging echocardiography.Methods:Fourteen anesthesia opened-chest dogs were scanned before,ligation,subsequently reperfused for 30min,60min and 120min.Three complete cardiac cycles were stored in cineloop format of tissue velocity imaging.Off-line left ventricular regional strain and strain rate along long axis using digital workstation were obtained and analyzed the features of strain rate.Left ejection fraction(LVEF),end-diastolic volume(EDV)and end-systolic volume(ESV)were obtained by Simpson biplane method.Results:AIR modes of 12 dogs were successfully established from 14 dogs.The peak systolic strain(epeak)and the peak systolic strain rate(SRpeak)in ischemic segment was decreased at 30min after left anterior descending coronary artery(LAD)ligation(P0.05).epeak and SRpeak was decreased seriously during reperfusion 30min.epeak and SRpeak increased slightly after reperfusion 60min and 120min,but still decreased than before ligation.There is no significant difference between before and after LAD ligation at LVEF,EDV,ESV(P0.05).Conclusions:Regional wall motion abnormalities can be evaluated quantitatively and synchronously with high sensitivity by strain and strain rate which has the potential value in early diagnosis of regional myocardial ischemia and reperfusion.