Tissue motion imaging of the left ventricle--quantification of myocardial strain, velocity, acceleration and displacement in a single image.
OBJECTIVE
Several methods of parametric imaging of left ventricular function including tissue velocity imaging (TVI) and strain rate imaging (SRI) have previously been presented, however, they have the limitation that they can, respectively, portray only one physiological myocardial parameter. The aims of this pilot study were to implement and validate tissue motion imaging (TMI) for the first time, a visualization technique which permits acceleration, velocity, displacement and strain to be interpreted quantitatively or semi-quantitatively in a single image.


RESULTS
TMI is achieved by the color coding of temporal tissue velocity integrals. The principles behind this technique are validated, and case examples demonstrating its use in the clinical setting are provided. Limitations of the method as well as future applications and improvements are discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
As this method allows representation of a multitude of variables and is visually attractive, it may facilitate more widespread use of myocardial quantitation in everyday practice.
Storaa
Camilla
C
Division of Medical Engineering, Karolinska Institutet, Novum F60, SE-14186 Huddinge, Sweden. camilla.storaa@labmed.ki.se
Cain
Peter
P
Olstad
Bjørn
B
Lind
Britta
B
Brodin
Lars-Ake
LA
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013599:Systole; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*