Does implantation of sonomicrometry crystals alter regional cardiac muscle function?
BACKGROUND
Sonomicrometry is a gold standard in experimental studies on myocardial motion. However, limited information exists regarding mechanical and biochemical changes produced by sonomicrometry crystal (SC) insertion into the myocardial wall.


METHODS
In 10 open-chest pigs, we implanted SCs into the inner half of apical anterior and midposterior regions. Longitudinal strains (systolic lengthening, end-systolic, peak shortening, and postsystolic shortening strains) and strain rate (SR) measurements (peak systolic ejection and early and late diastolic SRs) were obtained by Doppler SR echocardiography along with troponin I levels measured from peripheral blood before and after SC insertion.


RESULTS
SR and strain parameters did not change significantly after SC implantation. Troponin I levels increased significantly from less than 0.010 to 0.129 +/- 0.138 microg/L (P < .005) after SC implantation.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study demonstrates that despite biochemical evidence of myocardial injury, carefully implanted SCs do not alter systolic or diastolic regional myocardial function assessed by Doppler echocardiography.
Korinek
Josef
J
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Diseases, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, Minnesota, USA.
Vitek
Jan
J
Sengupta
Partho P
PP
Romero-Corral
Abel
A
Krishnamoorthy
Vijay K
VK
McMahon
Eileen M
EM
Khandheria
Bijoy K
BK
Belohlavek
Marek
M
D000818:Animals; D016477:Artifacts; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D006339:Heart Rate / Q000502:physiology*; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology*; D013552:Swine; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology*