Abstract：Objective: To discuss the diagnostic value of noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium using tissue Doppler curved M-mode strain rate imaging(CMM-SRI). Methods: Consistency of the noncompactional ventricular myocardium contraction were observed and analyzed in 5 patients respectively in apical four-chamber view, two-chamber view of the left heart and apical long axis view of the left heart using CMM-SRI. Results: Curved M-mode strain rate profile recorded from left ventricular lateral wall and left ventricular posterior wall of 5 patients during 2 cardiac cycles. There were discrete paradoxical bands, adjacented to one another, of expansion and compression throughout both systole and diastole. There was no coordinated systolic compression or diastolic expansion wave form. Normal curved M-mode strain rate profile recorded from left ventricular wall of age-matched controls during 2 cardiac cycles. Here, uniform systolic compression or systolic strain rate was seen and 2 distinct expansion profiles were seen in early(E) and late(A) diastole. Conclusions: High frame-rate tissue Doppler CMM-SRI technique appears to be a promising tool to provide the phase information, and reveals unique appearances of paradoxical alternating bands of compression and expansion throughout systole and diastole in patients with noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium.
2006, Vol. 17 
