title: Myocardial texture in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study was conceived to assess associations between integrated backscatter signal at end diastole (IBS) and diastolic properties in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 46 patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, septal IBS was calculated by both applying an appropriate regression correction (IBSc) and by relating it to pericardial reflectivity (IBSp). Difference in duration between transmitral forward and pulmonary venous backward velocities (A-Ar) was measured as an estimate of passive diastolic filling. In all, 38 patients underwent ambulatory electrocardiogram monitoring for 48 hours.
  
  
  RESULTS
  IBS inversely correlated to both A-Ar (IBSc, r = -.522, P < .001; IBSp, r = -.302, P = .041) and mitral peak velocity at atrial contraction (IBSc, r = -.464, P = .002; IBSp, r = -.413, P = .004). Moreover, IBS was greater in patients with sustained or nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (IBSc, 28.5 +/- 3.8 vs 25.4 +/- 3.8 dB, P = .034).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Septal IBS correlates with Doppler parameters of left ventricular chamber stiffness in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Increased IBS is associated with presence of ventricular arrhythmias.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Medicine, Cardiovascular and Immunological Sciences, Federico II University School of Medicine, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Maria-Angela
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Losi
authors.forename: Sandro
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Betocchi
authors.forename: Marcello
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chinali
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Barbati
authors.forename: Gianluigi
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: D'Alessandro
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cacace
authors.forename: Raffaella
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lombardi
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Contaldi
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: de Simone
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chiariello
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002312:Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015150:Echocardiography, Doppler / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*