Analysis of the Origin of Cardiac Wall Motion that Constitutes Myocardial Velocity-Time Curves in Patients with Left Bundle Branch Block

Septal and lateral wall myocardial velocity-time curves from tissue Doppler imaging were analyzed to determine wall motion from which the velocity originated in 34 patients with left bundle branch and systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction < 45%). Longitudinal strain rate by speckle tracking imaging was assessed to identify whether corresponding wall motion was active or passive. All lateral peak velocities during the ejection period were derived from delayed active movement. However, septal peak velocities were more numerous and complex. Septal peak velocities during pre-ejection were derived from the first active movement in 29 patients (85.2%). Septal peak velocities during the ejection period were derived from the second active movement in 20 patients, passive movement in 9 patients, and first active movement in 5 patients. Because septal peak velocities were consistent with various wall motion types, identification of the origin of septal peak velocities, including during pre-ejection, may be important in identifying LV dyssynchrony based on the propagation of first active myocardial movements.