Tissue Doppler Imaging: a promising technique for quantifying regional myocardial function.
Tissue Doppler Imaging (TDI) is a recent ultrasound technique that enables the quantification of regional myocardial function by measuring myocardial velocities. Three TDI modes are available: pulsed wave mode, 2D color mode and color M-mode. Each of them allows the specific analysis of radial and longitudinal myocardial motion. Both phase and amplitude of regional myocardial motion may be analyzed by TDI. Therefore, TDI appears to be a precise non-invasive method for assessing myocardial dysfunction: several studies have already shown that TDI is a more sensitive technique than conventional echocardiography for detecting mild myocardial alterations in human heart diseases as well as in animal models.
Chetboul
Valérie
V
Unité de Cardiologie d'Alfort, National Veterinary School of Alfort, France.