超声心动图评价急性肺栓塞患者溶栓前后右心功能指标

目的 采用超声心动图测量急性肺栓塞患者溶栓前后右心功能指标以评价溶栓效果.方法 80例急性肺栓塞患者均接受溶栓治疗.溶栓前和溶栓后24 h采用超声心动图检查患者右心室前壁厚度(RVAWT)、右心室舒张末期前后径(RVED)、主肺动脉内径(PAD)、右心室舒张期横径(RVDD)、右心房舒张期横径(RADD)、三尖瓣反流压差(TRPG)及肺动脉收缩压(SPAP).结果 80例急性肺栓塞患者溶栓后RVAWT、RVED、PAD、RVDD、TRPG、SPAP分别为(4.23±1.02)mm、(26.20±3.01) mm、(26.67±2.36)mm、(36.23±4.36)mm、(31.68±2.33)mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)、(37.52±3.20)mm Hg,较溶栓前的(7.56±1.22)mm、(31.78±3.26)mm、(29.44±2.20)mm、(40.20±5.01)mm、(48.98±3.80) mm Hg、(57.25±4.23)mm Hg均降低,且差异均有统计学意义(t值分别为3.01、2.78、2.35、2.75、2.98、3.55,P均<0.01或0.05);溶栓后患者RADD为(37.55±5.25)mm,与溶栓前的(38.25±4.25)mm比较差异无统计学意义(t=1.32,P=0.18).结论 超声心动图对急性肺栓塞患者溶栓前后右心功能评价有重要意义.溶栓治疗可改善急性肺栓塞患者右心功能.     

序贯血液透析治疗慢性肾衰并急性左心衰的临床观察

目的:探讨序贯血液透析对慢性肾衰并急性左心衰的临床疗效。方法:对56例慢性肾衰并急性左心衰患者采用先单纯性超滤0.5 h,脱水1 000 mL,再行血液透析4~4.5 h,观察患者透析前后心率、血压及动脉血氧饱和度(PaO2)及患者心功能改善情况。结果:心功能改善Ⅱ级以上45例,占80.36%;心功能改善Ⅰ级以上11例,占19.64%。治疗后患者心率及血压分别为(79±11)次/min、(117±17)mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa),较治疗前[(151±21)次/min(、158±38)mm Hg]明显下降(P<0.01);PaO2治疗后[(88±11)mm Hg]较治疗前[(71±16)mm Hg]明显升高(P<0.01)。结论:序贯血液透析能迅速缓解慢性肾衰合并急性左心衰患者的临床症状,改善患者心功能状况,是抢救慢性肾衰合并急性左心衰的有效方法。     

主动脉球囊反搏联合无创机械通气治疗急性心肌梗死并心源性休克45例效果观察

目的探讨主动脉球囊反搏(intra-aortic balloon counterpulsation,IABP)联合无创机械通气治疗急性心肌梗死(acute myocardial infarction,AMI)并心源性休克的效果及安全性。方法 AMI并心源性休克患者45例,行经皮冠状动脉介入治疗(percutaneous coronary intervention,PCI),术前、术中及术后行IABP联合无创机械通气治疗,比较治疗前、后平均动脉压、动脉血氧分压、中心静脉压、血液pH值、脑钠肽(brain natriuretic peptide,BNP)水平变化。结果 45例无创机械通气5~8d,IABP治疗3~10d,治疗后康复37例,自动出院5例,院内死亡3例;治疗后平均动脉压[(69.34±5.12)mm Hg]、动脉血氧分压[(72.53±6.02)mm Hg]、血液pH值(7.38±0.15)高于治疗前[(42.75±4.30)mm Hg、(52.45±5.63)mm Hg、7.26±0.11],中心静脉压[(11.32±1.89)mm Hg]、血浆BNP[(465±212)ng/L]低于治疗前[(14.14±2.30)mm Hg,(1 320±325)ng/L],差异均有统计学意义(P0.01)。结论 IABP联合无创机械通气治疗AMI并心源性休克效果良好。     

对危重患者使用双导丝置管法补救性床边盲插螺旋型鼻肠管的方法及安全性研究

目的 介绍对危重患者采用双导丝置管法补救性床边盲插螺旋型鼻肠管的方法,探讨其安全性和有效性.方法 选择2005年7月-2007年3月50例放置螺旋型鼻肠管而不能自行通过幽门的危重患者,在心电监测下,采用双导丝置管法补救性床边盲插螺旋型鼻肠管,观察幽门后置管成功率和并发症发生率.结果 50例患者的平均置管时间为(24.5±4.9)min,置管成功率为82.O%(41/50),2006年7月-2007年3月治疗的后25例患者置管成功率为96.0%(24/25),明显高于2005年7月-2006年7月治疗的前25例[68.0%(17/25)],差异有统计学意义(P相似文献   

依那普利联合美托洛尔治疗慢性心力衰竭的疗效及药物的安全性

目的 探讨依那普利联合美托洛尔治疗慢性心力衰竭的效果以及药物的安全性.方法 收集100例慢性心力衰竭患者,随机分为观察组和对照组,每组50例.对照组患者使用慢性心力衰竭常规治疗方法进行治疗,观察组患者在常规治疗的基础上使用依那普利联合美托洛尔进行治疗.在治疗后比较两组患者的治疗效果以及药物安全性.结果 两组患者在经过治疗后均有所好转,但观察组患者的治疗效果明显优于对照组患者,同时观察组患者的收缩压[(120.31±10.69)mmHg,1 mm Hg =0.133 kPa)]明显优于对照组患者的收缩压[(155.33±18.29)mm Hg],观察组患者的舒张压[(75.39±5.3) mm Hg]明显优于对照组患者的舒张压[(91.23±7.9) mm Hg],观察组患者的心率[(65.89±6.03)次/min]明显优于对照组患者的心率[(98.26±9.18)次/min],差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).同时两组患者均无不良反应发生.结论在对慢性心力衰竭患者进行治疗的过程中,使用依那普利联合美托洛尔的方法能够更加有效地对患者进行治疗,同时安全可靠、切实有效,在临床上值得推广.     

宫缩素联合舌下含服卡孕栓治疗剖宫产产后出血的效果

目的 探讨宫缩素联合舌下含服卡孕栓治疗剖宫产产后出血的效果。方法 选择2017年4月至2019年4月郑州市第六人民医院收治的行剖宫产产后出血患者84例,按随机数表法分为对照组和观察组,每组42例。对照组采用宫缩素治疗,观察组采用宫缩素联合舌下含服卡孕栓治疗,对比两组患者术后出血量、生命体征、术后恢复情况及不良反应状况。结果 观察组术后2 h、24 h出血量为(218. 21±30. 15) ml、(236. 75±29. 26) ml,低于对照组[(321. 26±36. 47) ml、(368. 42±38. 54) ml],差异有统计学意义(P 0. 05);术后2 h,观察组SBP[(118. 31±20. 47) mm Hg]、DBP[(70. 06±14. 23) mm Hg]高于对照组[(96. 82±18. 36) mm Hg]、[(57. 69±12. 24) mm Hg],HR[(101. 35±16. 14)次/min]低于对照组[(118. 27±18. 64)次/min],差异有统计学意义(P 0. 05);观察组恢复肛门排气时间[(36. 53±5. 08) h]短于对照组[(42. 14±5. 32) h],宫底距脐轮高度[(2. 81±0. 72) cm]高于对照组[(2. 45±0. 56) cm],差异有统计学意义(P 0. 05);对照组不良反应发生率与观察组比较,差异未见统计学意义(P 0. 05)。结论 对剖宫产产后出血产妇采用舌下含服卡孕栓治疗,有助于减少术后出血量,避免血压、心率出现剧烈波动,促进产妇肛门排气和子宫收缩能力恢复。     

经鼻留置吸痰管用于重症支气管扩张症患者效果评价

目的探讨经鼻留置吸痰管于气管内按需吸痰辅助治疗重症支气管扩张症患者的临床疗效。方法将符合条件的61例患者随机分为对照组30例和观察组31例,对照组按常规给予抗生素、对症支持、雾化吸入、体位引流,观察组在此基础上给予气管内留置吸痰管,通过留置吸痰管向气管内注入气道湿化液,根据需要从留置吸痰管内按需吸痰。以动脉血氧分压、动脉血二氧化碳分压、咳嗽、咳痰、呼吸困难、住院天数、行机械通气例数为观察指标。结果经治疗后,对照组患者入院96 h氧分压(75.1±3.3)mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 k Pa),入院96 h二氧化碳分压(52.4±3.4)mm Hg,入院120 h氧分压(78.6±4.7)mm Hg,入院120 h二氧化碳分压(51.8±3.9)mm Hg;与观察组的入院96 h氧分压[(79.8±5.4)mm Hg]、入院96 h二氧化碳分压[(49.1±2.8)mm Hg]、入院120 h氧分压[(84.9±4.4)mm Hg]、入院120 h二氧化碳分压[(48.3±2.2)mm Hg]比较差异有统计学意义(P0.01);对照组呼吸困难(2.78±0.47)分,与观察组的(2.43±0.39)分比较,差异有统计学意义(P0.01);对照组患者住院天数为(21.93±4.87)d,行机械通气5例;观察组患者住院天数(16.55±3.71)d,机械通气0例,两组比较差异有统计学意义(P0.01或0.05)。结论重症支气管扩张症患者经鼻留置吸痰管按需吸痰对患者有辅助治疗作用,能及时解除痰液滞留,保持呼吸道通畅,改善患者的缺氧状态,缩短病程。     

曲伏前列素治疗原发性开角型青光眼及高眼压症的降眼压效果

目的探讨原发性开角型青光眼或高眼压症患者应用曲伏前列素的降眼压效果及安全性。方法原发性开角型青光眼及高眼压症患者106例,随机分为观察组和对照组各53例,2组均应用噻吗洛尔滴眼液滴眼,每次1滴,每天2次,治疗4周后,对照组加用曲伏前列素滴眼液滴眼,观察组改用曲伏前列素滴眼液滴眼,均每次1滴,每天1次,连续16周。比较2组治疗前及治疗1、2、4、8、14、20周眼压、血压及心率;比较2组治疗前、治疗20周7、10、14、17、22时眼压;记录2组治疗期间全身不良反应及眼部局部症状。结果对照组和观察组眼压值在治疗1周[(18.24±1.23)、(18.18±1.19)mm Hg]、2周[(18.01±1.18)、(18.13±1.07)mm Hg]、4周[(17.69±1.23)、(17.88±0.79)mm Hg]、8周[(17.85±1.34)、(17.96±1.36)mm Hg]、14周[(17.41±1.15)、(17.82±1.24)mm Hg]、20周[(17.62±1.27)、(17.78±1.33)mm Hg]均低于治疗前[(22.17±2.36)、(21.94±1.93)mm Hg](P0.05),2组治疗前及治疗1、2、4、8、14、20周眼压值比较差异均无统计学意义(P0.05);2组治疗前、治疗20周时眼压描记比较差异均无统计学意义(P0.05);对照组治疗20周时心率[(62±7)次/min]低于治疗前[(72±5)次/min](P0.05),观察组[(70±5)次/min]与治疗前[(71±6)次/min]比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);2组治疗前、治疗20周收缩压、舒张压比较差异均无统计学意义(P0.05);观察组2例、对照组3例出现眼部刺激症状(异物感、干涩及结膜充血)、味觉异常、口干等不良反应,症状较轻,未经治疗均自行缓解。结论原发性开角型青光眼及高眼压症患者经噻吗洛尔磨合期治疗后,应用单剂曲伏前列素治疗具有较好的降眼压效果,安全性较好。     

重组人脑利钠肽治疗顽固性心力衰竭临床研究

目的 研究重组人脑利钠肽(rhBNP)治疗顽固性心力衰竭(RHF)患者血液动力学效应及安全性.方法 选择住院期间经常规抗心力衰竭药物强化治疗无明显改善的RHF患者16例,给予rhBNP 1.5 μg/kg静脉冲击后,以0.007 5μg/(kg·min)连续静脉滴注24h.在给药后24h内监测有创血液动力学参数、血压、心率及血清生化指标,应用rhBND 3 d后,行超声心动图检测心脏指数(CI)、左心室舒张末期容积(LEVDD)、左心室射血分数(LVEF).结果 在注射rhBNP 15 min时肺毛细血管楔压[PCWP(22.7±4.0)mm Hg与(25.3±3.9)mm Hg]、平均肺动脉压[MPAP(31.9±3.6)mm Hg与(34.6±7.8)mm Hg]较基础值明显下降(P＜0.05);收缩压在给药后1h下降[(105.2±11.5)mm Hg与(119.0±17.2)mm Hg],差异有统计学意义(P均＜0.01),以后逐渐恢复至基线时水平;用药24h心率也明显改善[(109.0±10.8)次/min与(82.2±8.6)次/min](P ＜0.01);血钾、血钠、血肌酐无明显变化;用药3d后CI[(3.7±0.6)L/m2与(1.8±0.4)L/m2]和EF[(43.1±8.3)％与(31.2±6.4)％]均有明显改善,LVEDD明显缩小[(63.6±5.7)mm与(67.3±6.2)mm](P均＜0.01).未发生与rhBNP相关的症状性低血压及其他严重不良反应.结论 静脉应用rhBNP能迅速改善RHF患者血液动力学状况,且安全可行.     

急性呼吸窘迫综合征患者血清Clara细胞蛋白16表达及与肺顺应性关系

目的探讨行有创机械通气治疗急性呼吸窘迫综合征(acute respiratory distress syndrome,ARDS)患者血清Clara细胞蛋白16(Clara cell protein 16,Cc16)表达及与肺顺应性的关系。方法行有创机械通气治疗ARDS患者69例(观察组),同期行有创机械通气治疗非ARDS患者51例(对照组),采用ELISA法检测2组有创机械通气治疗3h内血清Cc16水平,并记录肺顺应性、呼吸频率、气道平均压、气道峰压、潮气量及呼气末正压(positive end expiratory pressure,PEEP),Pearson相关法分析血清Cc16水平与肺顺应性等指标的相关性。结果观察组有创机械通气治疗3h内血清Cc16[(59.25±17.62)ng/L]、气道峰压[(21.50±5.73)mm Hg]、气道平均压[(11.64±3.43)mm Hg]、PEEP[(4.42±1.67)cm H_2O]]、呼吸频率[(22.05±6.37)次/min]均高于对照组[(31.47±20.49)ng/L、(17.29±4.26)mm Hg、(8.67±1.74)mm Hg、(3.67±0.80)cm H_2O]、(18.54±5.63)次/min](P0.05),肺顺应性[(37.74±13.59)mL/cm H_2O]]低于对照组[(50.64±24.99)mL/cm H_2O]](P0.05),潮气量[(466.44±110.93)mL]与对照组[(445.17±105.50)mL]比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05);Pearson相关分析结果显示,观察组有创机械通气治疗3h内血清Cc16水平与肺顺应性呈负相关(r=-0.252,P=0.036),与呼吸频率、潮气量、气道峰压、气道平均压及PEEP无线性相关(r=-0.015,P=0.835;r=-0.171,P=0.902;r=-0.007,P=0.816;r=-0.026,P=0.865;r=0.068,P=0.783);对照组有创机械通气治疗3h内血清Cc16水平与PEEP呈正相关(r=0.281,P=0.046),与肺顺应性、潮气量、呼吸频率、气道峰压及气道平均压无线性相关(r=-0.018,P=0.612;r=-0.148,P=0.536;r=-0.109,P=0.928;r=0.019,P=0.653;r=0.077,P=0.537)。结论 ARDS患者肺顺应性降低,且与血清Cc16水平呈负相关。     

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.