p16、Ki-67蛋白表达及HPV检测在宫颈上皮内瘤变中的诊断意义

目的 探讨p16、Ki-67联合应用在宫颈上皮内瘤变(CIN)诊断及分级中的意义及人乳头状瘤病毒(HPV)感染与CIN的关系.方法 分别对160例宫颈各类病变采用免疫组化方法检测p16、Ki-67蛋白表达情况,并行人乳头状瘤病毒分型检测.结果 ①宫颈上皮内低度瘤变(CINⅠ)中,p16阳性率为85.7%,Ki-67阳性率为67.8%,较宫颈良性病变的阳性率明显增加(P<0.01);宫颈上皮内高度瘤变(CINⅡ-Ⅲ)中,p16阳性率为100%,Ki-67阳性率为98.3%,两者相比差异极显著(P<0.01).在CINⅡ-Ⅲ中,p16、 Ki-67表达呈正相关.②高危型HPV在宫颈良性病变、CINⅠ和CINⅡ-Ⅲ病变组感染者分别为30.6%、75.7%和93.3%,宫颈CINI和CINⅡ-Ⅲ明显高于良性病变组,差异极显著(P<0.01).随着宫颈上皮内瘤变程度加重,HPV感染与p16表达呈正相关.结论 p16、Ki-67联合应用可作为宫颈良性病变与CINⅠ以及CINⅠ与CINⅡ-Ⅲ鉴别的重要标记物;高危型HPV感染与宫颈上皮内瘤变密切相关,在高危人员筛查与判断预后上有重要意义.     

HPV、P16和Ki67检测对早期宫颈上皮内瘤变和宫颈癌辅助诊断价值的分析

目的研究人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)、P16和Ki67对早期宫颈上皮内瘤变和宫颈癌辅助诊断的价值。方法随机在该医院收集患者共212例,患者疾病类型包括宫颈炎、宫颈上皮内瘤变(CIN,包括CINⅠ、CINⅡ和CINⅢ)、宫颈癌,根据疾病类型共分为5组。对HPV、P16和Ki67检测对判断不同类型、不同严重程度宫颈疾病的价值进行了分析及相关性评价。结果 HPV感染率由高到低依次为宫颈癌组、CINⅢ组、CINⅡ组、CINⅠ组和宫颈炎组,除宫颈癌组与CINⅢ组间比较外,其余组间两两比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。P16阳性率及过表达率由高到低均依次为宫颈癌组、CINⅢ组、CINⅡ组、CINⅠ组和宫颈炎组,除宫颈癌组与CINⅢ组间比较外,其余组间两两比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。Ki-67阳性率及过表达率由高到低依次为宫颈癌组、CINⅢ组、CINⅡ组、CINⅠ组和宫颈炎组,除宫颈癌组与CINⅢ组间比较外,其余组间两两比较差异均有统计学意义(P0.05)。P16和Ki67两者的表达情况与HPV感染率存在正相关性。结论 HPV、P16和Ki67三者与宫颈疾病的严重程度存在联系,可根据以上3种检测的情况预测宫颈疾病的进展和恶化,对临床治疗有一定指导作用。     

P16~(ink4a)、Ki67蛋白联合检测在HPV持续感染的宫颈病变早期诊断中的临床意义

目的探讨P16~(ink4a)、Ki67蛋白在宫颈上皮内瘤变(CIN)及宫颈癌早期诊断及预防治疗中的临床意义。方法采用免疫组化技术SP法检测205例CIN(包括CINⅠ级,CINⅡ级,CINⅢ级)和18例宫颈鳞癌的P16~(ink4a)和Ki67蛋白的表达情况,采用杂交捕获二代法(HC2)检测HPV-DNA感染程度。分析P16~(ink4a)和Ki67蛋白表达联合监测HPV持续感染(HPV持续感染指第二次检出HPV阳性距离第一次超过12个月)与宫颈病变程度预后的相关性。结果 CINⅠ病例组中的HPV持续感染率比CINⅡ~Ⅲ病例组及宫颈鳞癌组较高,且宫颈鳞癌组的HPV持续感染率较CINⅡ~Ⅲ组高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);P16~(ink4a)蛋白、Ki67蛋白阳性率均随着宫颈病变程度加重而升高,差异有统计学意义(P0.05),但宫颈鳞癌组中P16~(ink4a)蛋白阳性率之和与CINⅡ~Ⅲ组相近;HPV持续感染组中P16~(ink4a)蛋白、Ki67蛋白表达率、及P16~(ink4a)蛋白、Ki67蛋白联合表达率较HPV转阴组升高,差异均有统计学意义;联合监测HPV-DNA及P16~(ink4a)蛋白、Ki67蛋白的表达有助于正确诊断宫颈鳞癌,其灵敏度达55.56%,特异度达78.05%,曲线下面积达0.984。结论 P16~(ink4a)蛋白在宫颈病变及宫颈癌组织中呈过表达,可作为宫颈癌早期筛查和诊断的分子生物学指标之一,能有效分流不同宫颈瘤变级别的患者,对临床监测和治疗具有指导意义。Ki67能区分宫颈高度病变与宫颈癌,但不能区分宫颈良性病变与宫颈低度病变,需结合P16~(ink4a)蛋白联合判断。HPV持续感染患者中联合监测P16~(ink4a)、Ki67蛋白则能尽早准确诊断宫颈癌变。     

东营地区HPV感染与宫颈癌的调查与分析

目的 检测东营地区人乳头状瘤病毒HPV各型在宫颈癌和各级宫颈上皮内瘤变中的表达情况,分析两者之间表达的关系,探讨其作为宫颈癌前病变的特异性标志物的可能性.方法 （1）选择经病理确诊的19例宫颈癌、55例CIN（包括CIN Ⅰ级20例、CIN Ⅱ级16例和CIN Ⅲ级19例）和30例宫颈炎患者的宫颈脱落细胞,采用基因芯片技术对PCR扩增产物进行HPV检测,观察不同病情宫颈组织中HPV的感染情况及型别分布状况.结果 （1）HPV在宫颈炎、CIN Ⅰ级、CIN Ⅱ级、CIN Ⅲ级和宫颈癌患者组织中的检出率分别为43.3%、50%、68.8%、84.2%和94.7%.CIN Ⅱ/Ⅲ级及宫颈癌组患者HPV检出率明显高于宫颈炎组和CIN Ⅰ组.检出型别主要是HPV16型,在宫颈炎症组、CIN Ⅰ级、CIN Ⅱ级、CIN Ⅲ级和宫颈癌组宫颈刷脱细胞中HPV16型检出的阳性率分别为6.67%、15%、31.3%、42.1%和68.42%.同时随着病情的加重,其阳性率也逐渐升高,其中在宫颈癌组中最高,与宫颈炎症组、CIN Ⅰ组及CIN Ⅱ组比较,差异有显著性（P〈0.05）,与CIN Ⅲ组比较,差别无显著性（P〉0.05）.结论 （1）HPV感染是宫颈癌前病变的主要致病因素,其中HPV 16型感染与其密切相关,随着病变程度的加重.HPV 16检出率升高,提示HPV 16为宫颈癌的高危因素.     

人乳头瘤病毒E6/E7 mRNA检测对宫颈病变筛查的意义

目的探讨检测人乳头瘤病毒(HPV)E6/E7mRNA在宫颈病变筛查中的临床价值。方法选取2015年1月至2016年3月经液基薄层细胞检测为慢性宫颈炎且HPV DNA呈阳性患者164例为研究对象,采集宫颈脱落细胞行HPV E6/E7mRNA检测,并行组织病理学检验。以病理学结果为金标准,观察HPV E6/E7 mRNA检测在宫颈病变筛查中的价值。结果 HPV E6/E7mRNA检测结果显示,63例呈阴性,101例呈阳性,阳性率为61.59%,特异度为54.72%,灵敏度为91.38%,阴性预测值为92.06%,阳性预测值为52.48%。慢性宫颈炎患者、宫颈上皮内瘤变(CIN)Ⅰ患者、CINⅡ患者及CINⅢ患者HPV E6/E7mRNA阳性率分别为47.17%、80.00%、93.75%、90.91%,慢性宫颈炎患者HPV E6/E7mRNA阳性率显著低于CINⅠ患者、CINⅡ患者及CINⅢ患者,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);CINⅠ患者、CINⅡ患者及CINⅢ患者HPV E6/E7mRNA阳性率组间差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论 HPV E6/E7mRNA检测具有较高灵敏度及特异度,能对慢性宫颈炎及CIN患者进行有效鉴别,在宫颈病变筛查中有确切价值。     

宫颈病变组织中人类染色体端粒酶基因表达与人乳头瘤病毒亚型感染相关分析

目的探讨宫颈病变脱落细胞中人类染色体端粒酶基因(human telomerase RNA component,hTERC)的表达及人乳头瘤病毒(human papillomavirus,HPV)亚型感染情况,及其在宫颈癌筛查中的意义。方法宫颈病变患者宫颈脱落细胞标本129例,依据组织病理学结果分为宫颈上皮内瘤样病变(cervical intraepithelial neoplasia,CIN)I组41例、CINⅡ组29例、CINⅢ组35例及宫颈癌组(SCC组)24例,并选择同期体检健康者20例为对照组,各组均行宫颈液基细胞学检查及HPV DNA检测,并采用荧光原位杂交技术检测hTERC基因扩增情况。结果 hTERC表达阳性率CINⅠ组(7.31%)、CINⅡ组(34.48%)、CINⅢ组(62.86%)及SCC组(75.00%)与对照组(0)比较差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05),CINⅢ组与SCC组高于CINⅠ组(P<0.05);hTERC表达阳性率与宫颈病变程度呈正相关(r=0.931,P=0.031);对照组、宫颈癌前病变组(CINⅠ组+Ⅱ组+Ⅲ组)与SCC组HPV DNA阳性率分别为15.00%,45.71%,87.50%,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);hTERC表达与高危型HPV感染呈正相关(r=0.381,P=0.002)。结论 hTERC扩增在宫颈高度病变及宫颈癌患者中比例较高,与高危型HPV感染有关,可能是宫颈癌进展的预测性指标。     

宫颈上皮内肿瘤P16、P53、Ki67、P63的表达与HPV感染及其临床意义

目的:研究P16、P53、Ki67、P63在宫颈上皮内肿瘤(CIN)中的表达,探讨其与人乳头状瘤病毒(HPV)感染的关系.方法:采用免疫组化染色检测P16、P53、Ki67及P63在255例CIN和63例对照组的表达情况,荧光定量检测HPV-DNA.结果:各组CIN的HR-HPV、P16、P53、Ki67和P63阳性率与对照组比较差异有显著性(P<0.01),CINⅡ～Ⅲ的HPV、P16,P53、P63阳性率与CIN Ⅰ比较差异有显著性(P<0.01).随着CIN分级增加,HR-HPV阳性率、P16、P53、Ki67和P63的表达程度呈增高趋势.CINⅡ～Ⅲ的HR-HPV阳性率与LR-HPV比较差异有显著性(P<0.01);HR-HPV组P16、Ki67、P63以强表达为主,P53大部分有不同程度的表达;LR-HPV组P16、Ki67、P63弱表达为主.P53绝大多数不表达.结论:HR-HPV、P16,P53,Ki67、P63可能对促进CIN发生发展具有协同作用;它们可能是宫颈癌的早期事件.     

宫颈上皮内瘤变组织人乳头瘤病毒感染与凋亡抑制基因表达的相关性研究

目的 探讨宫颈癌发生、发展过程中人乳头瘤病毒（HPV）感染与凋亡抑制基因Bcl-2表达的关系。方法 采用免疫组化法检测正常宫颈、慢性宫颈炎及宫颈上皮内瘤样病变Ⅰ级（CINⅠ）、CINⅡ、CINⅢ共116例组织中凋亡抑制基因Bcl-2的表达；聚合酶链反应法检测HPV16、18型的存在。结果 ①Bcl-2在正常宫颈、慢性宫颈炎、CINⅠ、CINⅡ、CINⅢ组织中的表达呈上升趋势，CINⅡ、CINⅢ组织中Bcl-2的阳性率显著高于正常宫颈、慢性宫颈炎、CINⅠ组织（均为P〈0.05）。②HPV阳性组中，CINⅡ、CINⅢ组织的Bcl-2的阳性率显著高于阴性率（P〈0．05）；CINⅡ、CINⅢ组织的Bcl-2的阳性表达率与HPV感染呈正相关。结论 HPV感染可能通过诱导Bcl-2的过度表达，抑制细胞凋亡，促进组织增殖从而在宫颈癌发生的早期起重要作用。     

人乳头瘤病毒基因型与宫颈病变的相关性分析

目的探讨不同基因型人乳头瘤病毒(human papilloma virus,HPV)感染与宫颈病变的相关性。方法采用导流杂交基因芯片技术(Hybrimax)对924例妇女进行21种HPV基因型检测,同期进行宫颈活检病理检查。按病理学诊断结果分成6组:宫颈鳞癌组287例;宫颈上皮内瘤变(CIN)Ⅲ组78例;CINⅡ组61例;CINⅠ组153例;宫颈湿疣组40例;正常或炎症组305例。结果⑴503例检测到HPV感染,阳性率为54.4%。所有标本共检测到19种HPV基因型,未检测到HPV43、44型。不同病变组HPV阳性率差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),宫颈鳞癌组与宫颈湿疣组HPV阳性率显著高于CINⅢ组(P<0.05),CINⅢ组HPV阳性率显著高于CINⅡ组与CINⅠ组(P<0.05),CINⅡ组与CINⅠ组HPV阳性率显著高于正常或炎症组(P<0.05)。⑵不同病变组HPV多重感染率差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),宫颈鳞癌组、CINⅢ组、CINⅡ组、CINⅠ组HPV多重感染率显著高于湿疣组与正常或炎症组(P<0.05)。结论不同类型宫颈病变与HPV感染率、HPV感染型别有着一定的关系,HPV多重感染可能是宫颈鳞癌以及宫颈上皮内瘤变的危险因素。     

宫颈病变标本中人乳头瘤病毒感染情况分析

目的检测妇科宫颈标本中人乳头瘤病毒（HPV）感染情况,探讨HPV不同基因型感染的致癌性,为临床早期诊断宫颈癌提供实验依据。方法首先采用液基薄层细胞学技术（TCT）筛查各种宫颈标本,对可疑宫颈病变者（慢性宫颈炎、宫颈上皮内瘤变和宫颈癌）再采用基因杂交捕获技术进行HPV-DNA检测,并根据结果进行风险分析。结果 TCT共筛查出各种宫颈病变标本460例,包括慢性宫颈炎303例、宫颈上皮内瘤变（CIN）122例（其中CINⅠ30例,CINⅡ45例,CINⅢ47例）和宫颈癌35例。460例受检者治疗前宫颈HPV感染者211例,感染率为45.87%。慢性宫颈炎、CIN和宫颈癌HPV-DNA阳性率分别为27.06%、77.87%和97.14%,慢性宫颈炎和CIN、宫颈癌标本中的HPV-DNA阳性率比较差异有统计学意义（χ2=79.396,P〈0.01）;而CINⅠ、Ⅱ、Ⅲ组间HPV-DNA阳性率差异无显著性（χ2=1.21,P〉0.05）。宫颈病变标本中常见的HPV感染基因型为HPV-16、52、58、68、18、39等。宫颈癌前病变及宫颈癌的HPV-DNA含量高于慢性宫颈炎,差异有显著性（t=5.581、7.653,P〈0.05）;宫颈癌的HPV-DNA含量也明显高于宫颈癌前病变（t=6.624,P〈0.05）;CINⅠ~Ⅲ的HPV-DNA含量呈递增趋势,但差异无显著性（r=0.991,P〉0.05）。结论 HPV感染在宫颈病变中起重要作用,对经阴道细胞学筛查异常和高危妇女进一步检测HPV-DNA,对早期发现CIN和宫颈癌具有临床意义。     

Guns and Knives in New Mexico: Patterns of Penetrating Trauma, 1978–1993

Objective: To identify patterns of nonfatal and fatal penetrating trauma among children and adults in New Mexico using ED and medical examiner data.
Methods: The authors retrospectively sampled in 5-year intervals all victims of penetrating trauma who presented to either the state Level-1 trauma center or the state medical examiner from a 16-year period (1978–1993). Rates of nonfatal and fatal firearm and stabbing injury were compared for children and adults.
Results: Rates of nonfatal injury were similar (firearm, 34.3 per 100,000 person-years; stabbing, 35.1). However, rates of fatal injury were significantly different (firearm, 21.9; stabbing, 2.7; relative risk: 8.2; 95% confidence interval: 5.4, 12.5). From 1978 to 1993, nonfatal injury rates increased for children (p = 0.0043) and adults (p < 0.0001), while fatal penetrating injury remained constant. The increase in nonfatal injury in children resulted from increased firearm injury rates. In adults, both stabbing and firearm nonfatal injury rates increased.
Conclusions: Nonfatal injury data suggest that nonfatal violence has increased; fatal injury data suggest that violent death rates have remained constant. Injury patterns vary by age, mechanism of trauma, and data source. These results suggest that ED and medical examiner data differ and that both are needed to guide injury prevention programs.     

Systematic Reviews Published in the January 2011 Issue of The Cochrane Library

ABSTRACT

The Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews is published quarterly as a DVD and monthly online. The January 2011 issue (first quarterly DVD for 2011) contains 4515 complete reviews, 1985 protocols for reviews in production, and 13,521 one-page summaries of systematic reviews published in the general medical literature. In addition, there are citations of 641,000 randomized controlled trials, and 14,018 cited papers in the Cochrane methodology register. The health technology assessment database contains over 9300 citations. One hundred and seven new reviews have been published in the last 3 months, of which five have potential relevance for practitioners in pain and palliative medicine.     

Interprofessional approaches to creating safe,high quality health care

Three supplementary perspectives are presented arguing that interprofessional collaboration is both necessary and desirable. Nonetheless, there are often too many serious intra-professional barriers and obstacles to interprofessional collaboration to make it successful. Some of these barriers, it is argued and illustrated, are found in the multiple ways in which professional identity is tacitly acquired and embodied in the practitioners' habitual, everyday practice. The paper then explores ways in which reflection, especially Second order reflection, can help to elucidate and overcome these obstacles, as well as increasing professional adaptability and competence.     

Determination of creatine kinase isoenzyme MB activity in serum using immunological inhibition of creatine kinase M subunit activity. Activity kinetics and diagnostic significance in myocardial infarction.

This is a new method for the determination of creatine kinase isoenzyme MB activity in serum. The method uses direct activity measurement of creatine kinase B subunit activity after blocking of CK-M subunit activity by inhibiting antibodies. The test takes no longer than 15 min. The method yields an intra-serial C.V. of 2.0-12.9%, and a C.V. from day to day of 5.5%. The detection limit is 3.4 U/l creatine kinase MB. In the 95 cases with proven myocardial infarction several types of creatine kinase MB activity kinetics could be determined. The percentage of creatine kinase MB of peak CK-total is 6-25%, with a mean of 11.1%. The amount of creatine kinase MB with respect to total CK activity after reinfarction is higher than the amount after initial infarction.     

Prise en charge des entorses externes de cheville : étude clinique préliminaire sur l’efficacité du dispositif Myolux™

Ankle sprains are the most common injury of the musculoskeletal system and are associated with significant societal and economic impacts. It has been proven that classical therapeutic strategies may not be effective in preventing recurrent injuries: the recurrence rates reported in the literature can reach 73%. In order to provide an effective rehabilitation solution, a destabilizing orthosis was developed. This device is equipped with a mechanical articulator reproducing the subtalar mechanics and placed under the heel. In this paper, we present the main results of a preliminary clinical study conducted between 2004 and 2007. All subjects included in this study were treated with the abovementioned orthosis during 10 rehabilitation sessions of 30 minutes each. Data show a relatively low recurrence rate of 12% for the overall population. Moreover, it's of primary importance to note that this satisfactory ratio is largely reduced (3% of recurrence rate) for the 29 patients who performed one training session per month after the 10th initial rehabilitation sessions. Hence, the destabilizing orthosis appears to be an effective solution to prevent recurrent ankle sprains. However, joint protection requires long-term and regular training sessions. This result has motivated the development of a similar device allowing patients to perform training sessions at home. Finally, data obtained in this study are promising awaiting the final results of the comparative, multicentric and independent clinical trials currently managed by the Hospices Civils de Lyon.     

俯卧位通气对高海拔地区肺复张治疗无效急性呼吸窘迫综合征患者氧合的影响

目的 探讨俯卧位通气对高海拔地区肺复张术(RM)治疗无效急性呼吸窘迫综合征(ARDS)患者的治疗作用.方法 从海拔2260m的地区医院筛选RM治疗无效的41例ARDS患者[平均氧合指数( PaO2/FiO2)较RM前升高＜20％视为RM无效],依不同病因分为肺内源性ARDS组(ARDSp组)和肺外源性ARDS组(ARDSexp组),每组再按信封法随机分为俯卧位组和仰卧位组,即ARDSp俯卧位组(11例)、ARDSp仰卧位组(9例)、ARDSexp俯卧位组(10例)、ARDSexp仰卧位组(11例).在通气前及通气1、2、3、4h监测动脉血氧分压( PaO2)、PaO2/FiO2、静态顺应性(Cst)、气道阻力(Raw)的变化.结果 通气lh时,ARDSexp俯卧位组PaO2/FiO2( mm Hg,l mm Hg=0.133 kPa)即较通气前显著升高(157.4±40.6比129.3±48.7,P＜0.05),并随通气时间延长呈持续增高趋势,4h达峰值(219.1 ±41.1);且ARDSexp俯卧位组通气3h内PaO2/FiO2较其他3组显著增高,另3组间则差异无统计学意义.ARDSp俯卧位组、ARDSexp俯卧位组通气4h时PaO2/FiO2均较相应仰卧位组显著增高(208.8±39.7比127.4±47.1,219.1±41.1比124.9±50.8,均P＜0.05).4组通气前后Cst无显著改变,各组间差异也无统计学意义.ARDSp俯卧位组通气4h时Raw(cmH2O·L-1·s-1)较通气前显著降低(6.8±1.7比10.7±1.8,P＜0.05),且明显低于其他3组;其他3组各时间点Raw组内及组间比较差异均无统计学意义.结论 俯卧位通气作为ARDS机械通气重要策略之一,可以改善RM无效高原ARDS患者的氧合,为抢救患者赢得宝贵的时间.     

Digital imaging among medical facilities

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in the USA operates a network of 172 medical centres which all utilize a hospital information system (HIS) which has been developed and is currently maintained by the VA. During the past several years, an image management and communication module has been developed, installed and clinically utilized at the Washington DC and Maryland VA Medical Centres. This image management and communication system, referred to as the decentralized hospital computer program (DHCP) imaging system, is fully integrated with a commercial picture archiving and communication system (PACS). The system is utilized to capture, archive, and display all images generated within the hospital including radiology, nuclear medicine, pathology, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, and dermatology, intraoperative photographs, ECG data, and a limited number of paper documents. The ultimate goal of the project is to have all patient text and image data available at any clinical workstation to any authorized user anywhere within the network of medical centres. Clinical requirements for an imaging workstation include ease of use, rapid and reliable access to the complete set of patient information, and images which are of acceptable quality to meet the requirements of the user and the subspecialty. Patient confidentiality and data security must be safeguarded at all times. Integration of the images with the remainder of the patient's database was found to be critical to the success of the project. The experience at the Washington and Maryland facilities suggests that an imaging system that is successfully integrated with a hospital information system can provide substantial clinical and economic benefits both within and among medical centres. Clinical acceptance and utilization of the system has been excellent, particularly in diagnostic radiology where DHCP Imaging has been interfaced to a commercial PAC system. Based upon this initial experience, the VA has begun to deploy the system throughout its large network of medical centres.     

Myocardial elastography at both high temporal and spatial resolution for the detection of infarcts

Myocardial elastography is a novel method for noninvasively assessing regional myocardial function, with the advantages of high spatial and temporal resolution and high signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). In this paper, in-vivo experiments were performed in anesthetized normal and infarcted mice (one day after left anterior descending coronary artery [LAD] ligation) using a high-resolution (30 MHz) ultrasound system (Vevo 770, VisualSonics Inc., Toronto, ON, Canada). Radiofrequency (RF) signals of the left ventricle (LV) in longitudinal (long-axis) view and the associated electrocardiogram (ECG) were simultaneously acquired. Using a retrospective ECG gating technique, 2-D full field-of-view RF frames were acquired at an extremely high frame rate (8 kHz) that resulted in high-quality incremental displacement and strain estimation of the myocardium. The incremental results were further accumulated to obtain the cumulative displacements and strains. Two-dimensional and M-mode displacement images and strain images (elastograms), as well as displacement and strain profiles as a function of time, were compared between normal and infarcted mice. Incremental results clearly depicted cardiac events including LV contraction, LV relaxation and isovolumetric phases in both normal and infarcted mice, and also evidently indicated reduced motion and deformation in the infarcted myocardium. The elastograms indicated that the infarcted regions underwent thinning during systole rather than thickening, as in the normal case. The cumulative elastograms were found to have higher elastographic SNR (SNR(e)) than the incremental elastograms (e.g., 10.6 vs. 4.7 in a normal myocardium, and 6.0 vs. 2.4 in an infarcted myocardium). Finally, preliminary statistical results from nine normal (m = 9) and seven infarcted (n = 7) mice indicated the capability of the cumulative strain in differentiating infracted from normal myocardia. In conclusion, myocardial elastography could provide regional strain information at simultaneously high temporal (>/=0.125 ms) and spatial ( approximately 55 microm) resolution as well as high precision ( approximately 0.05 microm displacement). This technique was thus capable of accurately characterizing normal myocardial function throughout an entire cardiac cycle, at the same high resolution, and detecting and localizing myocardial infarction in vivo.