New ultrasound methods to quantify regional myocardial function in children with heart disease

From a temporally resolved radio-frequency data set, a series of new developing indices of regional myocardial deformation can be measured. These may be important new data sets to quantify regional radial and long axis function of the left or right ventricle in children with acquired or congenital heart disease. Using color Doppler methodology unidimensional regional myocardial strain rates (SR) and natural strain (epsilon) can now be calculated from local myocardial velocity data sets. Normal regional velocity, SR, and E values have already been determined in older children and should form the database for studies into acquired or congenital heart disease in this age group. Neonatal and infant values have yet to be determined. This article will present preliminary data on the potential clinical value of ultrasonic regional SR and epsilon imaging in children and will discuss the close interrelation of these new regional function parameters with an alternative approach to quantification: the measurement of local cyclical changes in integrated backscatter levels.