Author/Authors :
Ojaghi Haghighi، S. Zahra نويسنده Echocardiography Research Center, Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran , , Mostafavi، Atoosa نويسنده Echocardiography Research Center, Shariati Medical and Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. , , Peighambari، Mohammad Mehdi نويسنده Rajaie Cardiovascular Medical and Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran , , Alizadehasl، Azin نويسنده , , Moladust، Hassan نويسنده Cardiovascular Research Center, Heshmat Hospital, School of Medicine, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, IR Iran , , Ojaghi Haghighi، Seyed Hossein نويسنده Department of Emergency Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran ,
Abstract :
The torsional parameters of the left ventricle (LV) are sensitive indicators of the cardiac performance. The torsion/twist of the LV is the wringing motion of the heart around its long axis created by oppositely directed apical and basal rotations and is determined by contracting myofibers in the LV wall which are arranged in opposite directions between the subendocardial and subepicardial layers. This motion is essential for regulating the LV systolic and diastolic functions. Recent advances in echocardiography techniques have allowed for quantification of LV mechanics. The aim of the present study was to compare various LV twisting and untwisting parameters in healthy human subjects determined by velocity vector imaging (VVI) and tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) at rest. All volunteers (47 healthy subjects in two groups: 24 subjects in VVI group and 23 subjects in TDI group) underwent complete echocardiographic study, and LV torsional parameters were assessed by VVI or TDI methods. In addition, LV torsion and LV twisting/untwisting rate profiles were calculated throughout cardiac cycle. Twist degree was significantly lower in the VVI group than in the TDI group (P = 0.008, r = 0.56). LV torsion was lower in the VVI group but was not significant. (P = 0.13, r = 0.38). Twisting rate (P = 0.004, r = 0.66) and untwisting rate (P = 0.0001, r = 0.61) were lower in the VVI group, but when timing of untwisting rate was normalized by systolic duration, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.41, r = 0.59). Similarly, when peak untwisting rate was normalized by LV length, there was a significant decline in normalized peak untwisting rate in the VVI group (P = 0.004, r = 0.62), but not in peak twisting rate normalized by LV length (P = 0.12, r = 0.42). Peak untwisting rate normalized by LV torsion was not statistically different between the two groups (P = 0.05, r = 0.53). Results suggest that these methods cannot be interchanged, and VVI showed significantly lower LV peak twist, peak twisting rate and peak untwisting rate. However, when LV twist and LV twisting rates were normalized to LV length, values were comparable for both imaging techniques.
