Assessment of left ventricular systolic function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy by quantitative tissue velocity imaging and tissue tracking

ObjectiveTo assess the left ventricular(LV) regional systolic function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy using quantitative tissue velocity imaging(QTVI) and tissue tracking(TT).Methods Ten healthy subjects and twelve patients with dilated cardiomyopathy were studied by QTVI and TT. Off line LV regional velocity and displacement profiles along LV apical long axis view, apical two chamber view and four chamber view were obtained synchronously, and peak velocities of LV regional myocardium during systole(Vs), and peak systolic displacements(Ds) were measured. The systolic mitral annunal displacements(Dm) were determined by M mode echocardiography. LV ejection fraction(LVEF) was determined by 2 D echocardiography using Simposon′s rule. ResultsVs, Ds and Dm of LV segments in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy were significantly lower than those in healthy subjects. In 12 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy, mean mitral annunal displacement measured by QTVI and TT correlated significantly with that determined by M mode echocardiography(r= 0.63 ,P= 0.03 ), mean Vs(r= 0.75 ,P= 0.005 ) and Ds (r= 0.63 ,P= 0.03 )at the mitral annunal level also correlated significantly with LVEF determined by 2 D echocardiography respectively. ConclusionsQTVI and TT is a new, rapid, and noninvasive method to assess LV systolic function in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.