Evaluating the Regional Myocardial Function by Left Ventricular Radial Myocardial Motion Velocity Gradient: An Omni-directional M-mode Echocardiography Study

BackgroundTo assess regional myocardial function with radial myocardial motion velocity gradients (MVGs) of the left ventricle measured by omni-directional M-mode echocardiography (OME).Materials and methodsThirty-two patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), 20 patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy (HLVH), and 36 healthy volunteers (control group) were included in the study. The MVG of 16 segments on the left ventricular short axes of all subjects were measured and calculated using OME.ResultsIn the control group, the MVG on left ventricular short axes were found to be decreased progressively from the base plane to the apical plane. Compared with the control group, the left ventricular MVGs were reduced in both the HCM group and the HLVH group (p < 0.05).ConclusionThe left ventricular MVG directly corresponded to regionally thickened myocardial motion. OME can be used as a tool to evaluate left ventricular myocardial function in patients with thickened myocardium and can have a significant role in clinical applications.