Evaluation of the longitudinal contraction of the left ventricle in normal subjects by Doppler tissue tracking and strain rate

Background: Tissue tracking (IT) and strain rate (SR) are new echocardiographic modalities on the basis of Doppler tissue imaging, which allow assessment of the systolic longitudinal contraction of the myocardium. Objective. The aim of this study was to describe the global and regional longitudinal function of the left ventricle by IT and SR analysis. Methods: The study population consisted of 55 normal subjects. To assess longitudinal myocardial contraction, TT was performed in the standard apical views and expressed as a score index of the 16 myocardial segments. in addition, SR was performed in each segment. Results: The mean longitudinal contraction was 7.8 +/- 1.8 mm. Longitudinal contraction was significantly decreasing with increasing age and systolic blood pressure (r = -0.46, P < .01 for both measures), but independent of heart rate, left ventricular diameters, ejection fraction, and fractional shortening. SR was found significantly larger in the basal segments than in the middle and apical segments (-1.8 +/- 0.6 s(-1) vs 1.4 +/- 0.3 s(-1) P < .001). Conclusion: TF and SR analysis are easily obtained and may complement conventional measures of left ventricular systolic function.