Early Alterations Of Ischemic Myocardial Function Assessed By Velocity Vector Imaging

Incipient myocardial dysfunction associated with atherosclerosis was observed much earlier than anticipated. We sought to detect what extent of coronary stenosis would lead to regional dysfunctions. Echocardiographic images were obtained in velocity vector imaging (VVI) condition for 40 volunteers and 138 patients with extent stenosis of left anterior descending artery (LAD). Regional functions of middle anterior segments in the left ventricles were evaluated by left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), segmental systolic (SRs), early (SRe) and late (SRa) diastolic strain rate, and systolic strain (epsilon). In contrast to LVEF which displayed a decrease trend with >= 75% LAD stenosis, segmental SRe and the ratio of SRe to SRa showed significant reduction since with LAD stenosis < 50%, while e and SRs decreased with >= 50% LAD stenosis (P < 0.05). As conclusions, incipient myocardial dysfunction began with < 50% coronary stenosis, mainly manifested with impaired relaxation.