Evaluation of left ventricular contraction pattern and function with area strain

Objective To evaluate left ventricular (LV) myocardial contraction patterns and function by analyzing the distribution of peak value of segmental area strain and time sequence to the peak value.Methods 31 healthy subjects were involved.Real-time three dimensional full volume images of LV were acquired and analyzed with EchoPAC.LV volume and function parameters,as well as segmental and global systolic area strain and time to peak value were measured.The distribution of peak segmental area strain and time sequence to the peak value,interobserver and intraobserver variability of area strain parameters,as well as the relationship between global area strain and ejection fraction were evaluated.Results The peak segmental area strain was lower in the basic inferior and apical segments,and the peak value was reached earlier in the basic inferior,anteroseptal,and septal segments.Intraobserver and interobserver reliability of area strain parameters were good.Furthermore,a negative correlation was observed between global area strain and ejection fraction (r =-0.688,P =0.000).Conclusions The area strain measured by 4D strain can be used to evaluate the LV myocardial motion pattern and function. Key words: Echocardiography;  Ventricular function, left;  area strain