Assessment of Dyssynchronous Wall Motion During Acute Myocardial Ischemia Using Velocity Vector Imaging

Assessment of Dyssynchronous Wall Motion During Acute Myocardial Ischemia Using Velocity Vector Imaging Kasumi Masuda, Toshihiko Asanuma, Asuka Taniguchi, Ayumi Uranishi, Fuminobu Ishikura, Shintaro Beppu The diagnostic value of velocity vector imaging (VVI) for detecting acute myocardial ischemia was investigated. During coronary occlusion, inward wall motion at the mitral valve opening (MVO) was seen in the risk area and percent change in wall thickening, peak systolic radial strain, and systolic radial velocity changed significantly from baseline. However, during flow-limiting stenosis, radial velocity at MVO detected ischemia, with a sensitivity and specificity superior to other parameters. The spatial extent of inward velocity vectors at MVO correlated well with the risk area derived from myocardial contrast echocardiography. Thus, VVI permits easy visual detection of dyssynchronous motion during ischemia that is superior to conventional measurements of regional function.