Radial Strain Gradient Across the Normal Myocardial Wall in Open-chest Pigs Measured with Doppler Strain Rate Imaging

When measuring radial strain in the myocardial wall the SL must be low to evaluate transmural strain gradients. With correct settings of SL and region of interest, strain in 4 layers can be distinguished. As a rule of thumb the SL should be set to approximately half the systolic thickness of the wall or half the wall layer.