Application of 3-dimensional speckle tracking imaging to the assessment of right ventricular regional deformation.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to carry out 3-dimensional speckle tracking imaging (3DSTI) of the right ventricle (RV) and evaluate RV regional wall deformation. METHODS AND RESULTS 3DSTI of the RV was performed in 35 normal subjects, 8 patients with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, and 8 patients with pulmonary arterial hypertension. Peak systolic area change ratio and regional contraction timing relative to global systolic time (time to peak strain/time to end-systole×100) were measured in each segment. Good-quality images were acquired of the inflow segment in 87%, apex in 87%, outflow in 57%, and septum in 94% of the 35 normal subjects. In normal subjects, peak systolic area change ratio of the inflow anterior wall was -41±14%; inflow inferior wall, -35±9%; apical anterior wall, -41±10%; apical inferior wall, -31±11%; outflow, -31±9%; and septum wall, -36±11%. Contraction timing of the apical anterior wall and septum wall were earlier than those of other segments. In patients with RV dysfunction, 3DSTI indicated low peak systolic area change ratio in the damaged area. CONCLUSIONS RV 3DSTI indicated segmental heterogeneity in magnitude and timing of RV contraction. 3DSTI may be a promising modality for providing precise quantitative information on complex RV wall motion.