Application of two dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in evaluation of left ventricular global and segmental systolic function

Objective：To investigate left ventricular global and segmental systolic function in normal subjects by assessing left ventricular strain and rotation/torsion using two dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography. Methods：Totally 36 healthy volunteers were randomly recruited. Quantitative analysis was done using Qlab 9.0 software offline, longitudinal strain (LS)/ circumferential strain (CS) of each wall and level were defined as the average of LS/CS of containing segments. After exporting Excel files and calculating, basal rotation (BR), apical rotation (AR), and left ventricular torsion (LVT) were obtained. Results：CS of interventricular septum and inferior wall were higher than that of anterior wall and lateral wall (P＜0.008). Base level LS in normal case was lower than the LS of apical level and papillary muscle level (P<0.017). CS of apical level was higher than that of basal level and papillary muscle level (P＜0.01). Conclusions：The interventricular septum is in the center of systole. The inferior wall may be an insistence to right ventricular torsion. Left ventricular systolic strength in normal subjects increased from basal level to apical level.