Automated function imaging: a new operator-independent strain method for assessing left ventricular function

• Published in: Archives of cardiovascular diseases 2008-03, Vol.101 (3), p.163-169
• Main Authors: Belghiti, H, Brette, S, Lafitte, S, Reant, P, Picard, F, Serri, K, Lafitte, M, Courregelongue, M, Dos Santos, P, Douard, H, Roudaut, R, DeMaria, A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AFI; Angiography - methods; Automatic Data Processing - methods; Blood Flow Velocity - physiology; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated - diagnosis; Cardiomyopathy, Dilated - physiopathology; Cardiovascular; Coronary Disease - diagnosis; Coronary Disease - physiopathology; Diagnostic Imaging - methods; Déformation; Echocardiography - methods; Feasibility Studies; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Fonction myocardique régionale; Humans; Imagerie Speckle; Internal Medicine; Male; Middle Aged; Regional left ventricular function; Reproducibility of Results; Speckle tracking; Strain; Stroke Volume - physiology; Ventricular Function, Left - physiology
• ISSN: 1875-2136; 1875-2128
• DOI: 10.1016/S1875-2136(08)71798-4

Summary Background Speckle tracking is a new technique based on pure 2D grayscale ultrasound acquisition allowing calculation of segmental strains. To facilitate clinical application, speckle tracking has been integrated into the most recent echocardiographic systems for quick, automated evaluation of left ventricular function (Automated Function Imaging, AFI). Objective To evaluate the feasibility, calculation time, accuracy and reproducibility of global longitudinal strain (GLS) from AFI in determining LV function in comparison to reference echocardiographic and angiographic methods–whatever the operator's experience. Methods Echocardiography was performed in 65 patients scheduled for cardiac catheterization using a Vivid 7 system. They were divided into 3 groups according to EF (>55%, 35≤EF≤55%,