解剖M型超声技术检测左心室室壁运动的准确性

目的评价解剖M型超声技术检测左室壁运动的准确性。方法两个月内两次测量30例行冠状动脉造影患者的左室短轴二尖瓣水平观和乳头肌水平观的6个节段以及心尖四腔观的4个节段的室壁收缩快速射血期最大厚度、舒张期末厚度和收缩期增厚率。结果两次测量结果显示,左室壁所有各节段的收缩快速射血期最大厚度、舒张期末厚度和室壁收缩期增厚率的平均值均没有显著统计学差异(p>0.05)。结论解剖M型超声技术测定左室壁各节段的收缩期增厚率等指标时有较好的可重复性,因此有可能用于准确定量分析左室壁节段性运动。     

Harmonic imaging with Levovist for transthoracic echocardiographic reconstruction of left ventricle in patients with post-ischemic left ventricular dysfunction and suboptimal acoustic windows.

BACKGROUND: Attempts to perform transthoracic 3-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) are often encumbered by poor definition of chamber borders in adult patients who have technically suboptimal acoustic windows. METHODS: To assess whether harmonic imaging (HI) and contrast agents can facilitate transthoracic 3DE assessment of the left ventricle, we used fundamental imaging (FI), HI alone, and HI coupled with the echo-enhancing contrast agent Levovist in 15 consecutive patients with post-ischemic left ventricular (LV) dysfunction and technically difficult windows. Dynamic 3DE image data sets were obtained at 5-degree angles (36 slices) from a transthoracic apical view. From these data a total of 240 myocardial segments were analyzed with the use of dynamic short-axis paraplane slices at basal, middle, and apical LV levels (standard 16 segment model). For border definition, each segment was scored in random sequence on the following scale by 2 independent investigators: 0 = not seen, 1 = suboptimal visualization, and 2 = well defined. RESULTS: Our results showed a significant increase in the number of well-visualized segments when harmonic mode combined with Levovist injection was compared with FI and HI alone. CONCLUSION: Harmonic imaging alone improves LV assessment by 3DE when compared with FI. Contrast imaging in which Levovist is added to HI further improves the capability of transthoracic tomographic 3DE in the visualization of LV myocardial segments. This could allow 3DE by transthoracic windows to be used more widely in adults for the evaluation of LV volume and function.     

Normal regional right ventricular function and its change with age: a Doppler myocardial imaging study.

BACKGROUND: Doppler Myocardial Imaging (DMI) is a new technique currently being studied for the assessment of regional systolic and diastolic left ventricular (LV) function. No normal values or data on age-related changes in regional myocardial right ventricular (RV) velocities are available. METHODS AND RESULTS: Color DMI was used in 32 healthy volunteers (aged 16-76 years) to derive regional velocities from basal, medial, and apical segments of the RV free wall in the apical 4-chamber view, and from distal segments as well as from the tricuspid annulus in the parasternal long-axis view. Both mitral annular and regional LV velocities (4-chamber, long-axis parasternal view) were also recorded and compared with corresponding RV regional velocities. The M-mode displacement of the cardiac base was measured. Corresponding RV and LV DMI data sets were compared. For longitudinal function, RV free wall systolic velocities were consistently higher than velocities recorded in corresponding LV segments (analysis of variance, P <.05). Older subjects (40-76 years; 13 men, 2 women) had lower RV long-axis regional velocities than younger subjects (16-39 years; 15 men, 2 women), but had higher short-axis RV systolic velocities. For diastolic velocities, a negative correlation between age and the ratio of regional early diastolic to late diastolic velocity was shown for all RV free wall segments (eg, basal segment: r = -0.63, P <.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The right ventricle has higher long-axis regional velocities, a greater excursion of its lateral atrioventricular valve ring, and reduced circumferential shortening velocities compared with the left ventricle. Right ventricular longitudinal shortening is dominant over short-axis function in healthy young subjects. Normal age-related changes of diastolic velocities for each segment of the normal RV free wall have been defined.     

Harmonic imaging improves estimation of left ventricular mass

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of tissue harmonic imaging (THI) on assessment of left ventricular mass index (LVMI) measurements by M-mode trans-thoracic echocardiography, when compared with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). METHODS: 20 hypertensive male subjects were studied. LVMI was measured in all subjects by both gradient-echo MRI (Lscelsint Prestige 1.9 T) and by transthoracic echocardiography (ATL HDI 5000). M-mode echocardiography recordings were taken for each patient, two with fundamental imaging (FI) and two using THI in a randomised order and the images unlabelled. Recordings were analysed off-line, by a blinded observer. LVMI by MRI was calculated using Simpson's rule on serial short axis slices of 8 mm thickness. Data are expressed as mean +/- SD. RESULTS: There was a difference in LVMI measurements between FI and THI (LVMI) (79 +/- 20 vs. 93 +/- 25 g2; p < 0.001). A lower mean difference was obtained by THI, compared to FI, when compared with MRI (2 +/- 15 vs. -32 +/- 22 g2; p < 0.001) suggesting that FI underestimates LVMI. Inter-observer variability was similar between THI and FI (4.5 +/- 15 vs. 6.4 +/- 15 g2; p = 0.46). CONCLUSION: In hypertensive males, M-mode echo derived from FI underestimated LVMI. These results imply that widely accepted reference ranges for LVMI using FI are not applicable when THI is used.     

超声斑点跟踪成像对扩张型心肌病患者左室短轴二维应变的定量研究

目的 应用超声斑点跟踪成像技术(STI)对扩张型心肌病(DCM)患者左心室短轴各节段心肌的二维应变进行定量研究,探讨其变化情况.方法 对26例经临床证实的DCM患者,获取胸骨旁左室短轴二尖瓣环、乳头肌、心尖平面连续三个心动周期图像(三个平面显示左室18节段).应用GE EchoPAC软件分析各短轴平面的整体应变峰值和各节段的收缩期应变峰值.对照组为30例健康体检者,以相同方式获取图像.结果 对照组各平面间及同一平面内节段间收缩期应变峰值具有一定规律,DCM组失去这种规律.与对照组比较,DCM组左室整体应变峰值、所有节段径向应变峰值及左室18节段中16节段环向应变峰值明显降低,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).结论 扩张型心肌病患者左室短轴各节段收缩期径向应变峰值及多数节段环向应变峰值明显低于正常人,提示其左室短轴收缩功能明显受损.     

解剖M-型超声技术评价冠状动脉支架置入术后局部室壁运动变化

目的：采用解剖M-型超声技术评价冠状动脉内支架置入术前后左室局部室壁运动的改变。方法：30例行左前降支(LAD)支架置人术的患者，在术前72h内、术后72h内以及3个月时分别进行超声心动图检查，在左室短轴二尖瓣切面和乳头肌切面的二维图像中获取前间隔、前壁、侧壁、后壁、下壁和后间隔等节段的解剖M-型超声图像，测量这些节段的室壁收缩期增厚率。结果：30例患者术后72h内检查显示，LAD对应节段(前壁和前间隔)的收缩期增厚率较术前显著增高。25例患者完成3个月随访，其LAD对应节段的术后72h以及术后3个月时的室壁收缩期增厚率，均较术前显著增高。结论：冠状动脉内支架置入术能迅速改善狭窄动脉供血区域的室壁运动，并维持至少3个月；采用解剖M-型超声技术测量室壁节段的收缩期增厚率，能准确评价支架置入术的疗效。     

超声斑点追踪技术与多普勒组织速度显像评价心肌梗死患者左心室内不同步性

目的 评价超声斑点追踪技术在定量心肌梗死患者左心室内不同步性的价值.方法 采集30例心肌梗死患者左心室短轴切面(二尖瓣,乳头肌,心尖部)和心尖位四腔切面、二腔切面和左心室长轴的二维灰阶与组织多普勒(TVI)动态图,应用二维应变软件分别测量左心室短轴与左心长轴的各节段的径向与纵向应变收缩期达峰时间;同时用组织多普勒技术测量左心长轴的各节段的组织速度的收缩期达峰时间.如左心长轴每一节段6个壁的收缩期最早与最晚达峰时间的差值>110 ms、左心室短轴每一节段前间隔与后壁的达峰时间差值>130 ms即为左心室内收缩不同步.结果 基底部左心室短轴径向应变达峰时间明显长于组织多普勒纵向收缩期速度达峰时间(P<0.01);心尖部左心室短轴径向应变达峰时间明显长于左心室纵向应变达峰时间(P<0.01).二维应变短轴检出率高于二维应变长轴,两者均高于组织多普勒长轴.结论 超声斑点追踪技术可以较好地评价左心室内不同步性,二维应变短轴可更准确地判断心肌梗死患者心尖段的不同步性.     

二维斑点追踪成像评价舒张性心功能衰竭患者左心室局部收缩功能

目的 探讨二维斑点追踪成像(speckle tissue imaging,STI)评价射血分数正常的舒张性心功能衰竭(diastolic heart failure,DHF)患者的左心室心肌局部收缩功能.方法 临床确诊的DHF患者与正常对照组各32例.分别存储胸骨旁左心室短轴基底水平、乳头肌水平及心尖水平连续3个心动周期的二维灰阶图像,使用Qlab7.0工作站进行脱机分析,记录上述三个短轴切面共18个节段径向收缩期峰值应变率;记录基底水平、心尖水平旋转角度峰值,计算左心室扭转峰值(Twist).结果 DHF组的各节段径向应变率曲线形态与正常对照组相似,两组内同一水平不同节段间的径向应变率峰值差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05).与正常对照组相比,DHF组左心室心尖水平前间隔、侧壁、后壁、下壁,乳头肌水平后壁、后间隔,基底水平后壁、下壁及后间壁的收缩期峰值应变率低于正常对照组(P<0.05).DHF组左心室心尖、基底水平旋转角度峰值及左心室整体扭转角度峰值均较正常组减低,但差异无统计学意义(P>0.05).结论 二维斑点追踪成像显示左心室射血分数正常的DHF患者早期存在局部心肌收缩功能异常.     

Measurement of left ventricular volumes by 3-dimensional echocardiography with tissue harmonic imaging: a comparison with magnetic resonance imaging.

We hypothesized that tissue harmonic imaging (THI) in comparison with fundamental imaging (FI) would improve endocardial border detection, and therefore in combination with 3-dimensional echocardiography (3D echo), it would be a precise method for left ventricular (LV) volume measurement. Ten healthy subjects and 18 consecutive patients with dilated hearts underwent estimation of LV volumes by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and transthoracic 3D echo with THI and FI. In patients, the agreement between MRI and 3D echo was closer with THI in comparison with FI for assessment of LV volumes. Thus the mean +/- 2 SD of differences between MRI and 3D echo with THI versus FI, respectively, was -6.4 +/- 40.0 mL versus -17.4 +/- 57.6 mL (P <.01) for the end-diastolic volume (EDV), and 0.0 +/- 26.6 mL versus -8.1 +/- 35.6 mL (P <.01) for the end-systolic volume (ESV). In patients, THI in comparison with FI approximately halved observer variation on EDV and ESV. In healthy subjects, only ESV showed significantly reduced observer variation by THI. In conclusion, because THI demonstrated a clinically relevant reduction in observer variation and a closer agreement to the MRI technique in patients with dilated hearts, it should replace FI in LV volume measurements.     

超声二维斑点追踪技术对肥厚型心肌病左室旋转及扭转运动的研究

目的 应用超声二维斑点追踪技术评价肥厚型心肌病（HCM）患者左室短轴心肌旋转及扭转运动特征.方法 HCM组35例,正常对照组30名,获取左室短轴二尖瓣环水平,心尖水平二维图像.测定左室短轴二尖瓣水平、心尖水平各节段心肌收缩期旋转角度峰值,计算左室短轴心肌收缩期扭转角度峰值？结果（1）HCM组左室短轴二尖瓣水平及心尖水平各节段心肌收缩期旋转角度峰值较正常组增大（P＜0.05）.（2）HCM组左室短轴心肌收缩期扭转角度峰值较正常组增大（P＜0.05）.结论 HCM组左室旋转及扭转运动均较止常组增高.     

全方向M型超声与二维应变评价左心室收缩不同步的一致性

目的 探讨全方向M型超声与二维应变技术对心力衰竭患者左心室径向收缩不同步评价结果的一致性.方法 对30例心力衰竭患者(心力衰竭组)和28名健康志愿者(正常对照组)同时行全方向M型和超声二维应变分析.选取全方向M型超声测定的左心室12节段收缩期运动位移达峰时间的标准差(T_m-12-sd)和最大差值(T_m-12-dif)、二维应变技术测定的左心室12节段径向收缩期应变达峰时间的标准差(T_(SR)-12-sd)和最大差值(T_(SR)-12-dif)作为左心室内不同步指标.以正常对照组各测定指标的均数加上2倍标准差作为单侧97.7%上限值.心力衰竭组各测定指标大于该值判定为存在左心室收缩不同步.对两种方法评价心力衰竭组左心室不同步的结果进行一致性检验.结果 心力衰竭组左心室12节段的T_m-12-sd、T_m-12-dif、T_(SR)-12-sd与T_(SR)-12-dif均大于正常对照组(P<0.001);T_m-12-sd与T_(SR)-12-sd,T_m-12-dif与T_(SR)-12-dif对心力衰竭组左心室不同步的检出结果有一致性(Kappa值:0.661、0.733).结论 全方向M型超声与二维应变技术对左心室径向运动同步性的评价结果一致,两种技术均能评价左心室径向运动同步性.     

定量组织速度成像(QTVI)技术对左室收缩功能的研究

目的 用定量组织速度成像(QTVI)技术定量分析生理和病理(心肌缺血)状态下左室心肌收缩运动特征及其临床意义。方法 研究对象为20例心肌梗死患者和20例年龄匹配正常人。采用左室长轴切面，分别显示左心室6个室壁不同节段长轴方向的心肌同步运动曲线。测量左室收缩功能有关参数。结果 与对照组相比，心肌梗死组QTVI可敏感地定量显示出收缩波(S)平均峰值速度显著下降(P＜0.01)；持续时间缩短(P＜0．05)；等容收缩期(IVC)时限延长(P＜0．05)；表明心肌梗死病人心肌收缩功能损害。结论 QTVI技术作为定量定性评价心肌收缩功能的新方法，对无创诊断冠心病具有一定的临床应用价值。     

Influence of aging on systolic left ventricular wall motion velocities along the long and short axes in clinically normal patients determined by pulsed tissue doppler imaging.

Our objective was to evaluate the influence of aging on left ventricular (LV) regional systolic function along the long and short axes in clinically normal patients. We recorded LV wall motion velocity patterns at the mid-wall portion of the middle of the LV posterior wall in the parasternal long-axis view (short-axis direction) and at the endocardial portion of the middle of the LV posterior wall in the apical long-axis view (long-axis direction) with pulsed tissue Doppler imaging in 80 normal patients (age range 15 to 78 years). In all patients the LV pressure curve and its first derivative (dP/dt) were recorded. The systolic wave of the LV posterior wall motion velocity pattern exhibited 2 peaks, the first (Sw(1)) and second (Sw(2)) systolic waves. No significant changes were seen with aging in the percent LV fractional shortening determined by M-mode echocardiography, LV ejection fraction determined by left ventriculography, the peak Sw(1) and Sw(2) along the short axis, the peak Sw(2) along the long axis, and the peak dP/dt. The peak Sw(1) along the long axis correlated inversely with age (P <.0001) but did not correlate significantly with the peak dP/dt. These results suggest that shortening of the longitudinal fibers in early systole is impaired with increased age in healthy individuals. This impairment results in insufficient spherical change in the LV cavity, although global LV pump function and myocardial contractility are maintained.     

应用改进的解剖M型超声检测正常人左室径向应变率

目的通过改进的解剖M型超声（AMM）径向应变率（SR）检测,评价正常人左室短轴局部心功能。方法获取31例健康志愿者左室短轴乳头肌平面6个室壁节段的解剖M型曲线,将曲线图像输入改进的解剖M型后处理系统,该系统可提取各室壁内、外膜的峰值运动速度。径向应变率=（内膜速度-外膜速度）/室壁厚度。结果正常人左室乳头肌平面各室壁节段舒张早期峰值径向应变率略高于收缩期,其中在下、后壁的差异显著（P〈0.05）;下壁、后壁、侧壁的收缩期及舒张早期峰值径向高于间隔侧及前壁。结论改进的解剖M型超声径向应变率检测可用于评价左室短轴各节段的局部心功能;正常人左室壁各节段径向应变率不是均匀一致的,可能与心肌的解剖结构特点有关。     

An assessment of tissue harmonic versus fundamental imaging modes for echocardiographic measurements

The study aimed to evaluate whether a significant difference exists between tissue harmonic imaging (THI) and fundamental imaging (FI) in routine quantitative echocardiographic assessment. We also examined the effects of THI on endocardial definition (ED). Fifty-eight unselected patients (29 men, 29 women; mean age 53 years) referred for transthoracic echocardiography were studied with use of both FI and THI modes. Two independent observers made M-mode measurements of the following: left atrium, aortic root, and left ventricular internal dimensions and wall thickness; they also measured left ventricular outflow tract diameter and left atrial area from 2-dimensional images. Endocardial definition was assessed with use of an arbitrary scoring system (0 = endocardium not visualized, 1 = endocardium visualized but suboptimally, 2 = endocardium well defined) and the American Society of Echocardiography 16-segment model. No significant difference existed between cardiac measurements derived from FI and THI. However, a highly significant improvement in ED occurred with THI (ED index 1.83 versus 1.70, P <.0001). This study suggests that no systematic differences exist in standard echocardiographic measurements between THI and FI, even in the setting of improved ED.     

超声二维应变成像评价2型糖尿病患者左心室收缩功能

目的 探讨超声二维应变成像评价2型糖尿病患者左心室收缩功能的临床价值.方法 应用二维应变成像技术,测量无明显冠心病的37例单纯糖尿病患者、22例糖尿病合并左心室肥厚患者和30例正常对照者收缩期左心室长轴基底段、中段、心尖段纵向二维应变值,左心室短轴二尖瓣水平、乳头肌水平、心尖水平的径向二维应变值及二尖瓣水平、心尖水平心室的旋转角度.结果 两组糖尿病患者的左心室长轴基底段、中段、心尖段最大收缩期纵向平均应变值及左心室整体应变值明显低于对照组(P＜0.001),而糖尿病合并左心室肥厚组较单纯糖尿病组降低(P＜0.05或P＜0.001);二尖瓣水平、乳头肌水平、心尖水平各组间最大收缩期平均径向应变及左心室整体径向应变差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05);糖尿病患者左心室基底部、心尖部旋转角度及左心室扭转角度较对照组增大(P＜0.01或P＜0.001),糖尿病合并左心室肥厚组较单纯糖尿病组左心室心尖部旋转角度和左心室扭转角度增大(分别为P＜0.01,P＜0.05).结论 超声二维应变成像对早期诊断无明显冠心病的糖尿病患者左心室收缩功能受损有临床价值.     

速度向量成像技术定量评价正常人左心室扭转运动

目的 采用速度向量成像技术研究正常人的左心室心内膜和心外膜扭转运动特点.方法 对10例正常成年人行常规超声心动图和二维斑点显像检查.斑点追踪切面包括基底切面(二尖瓣水平左心室短轴)和心尖切面(心尖水平左心室短轴),应用Siemens SyngoWorkPlace V 2.0 工作站进行后处理分析.结果 无论是心内膜或心外膜,左心室基底部收缩期旋转均为负值,舒张期旋转均为正值,心尖部则相反,收缩期心尖部旋转速度的绝对值显著高于基底部[心内膜:(150±62)°/s 对 (114±65)°/s;心外膜:(81±40)°/s和(55±28)°s,均 P<0.01)].无论是基底部或心尖部,收缩期心内膜旋转速度和旋转角度均显著高于心外膜[基底部:(-114±65)°/s对 (-55±28)°s,(-12±6)°对(-4±1)°;心尖部:(150±62)°/s对 (81±40)°/s,(10±4)°对 (6±2)°,均 P＜0.05)]°收缩期基底部和心尖部心内膜和心外膜平均旋转速度达峰时间[基底部(188±72)ms 对 (187±55)ms;心尖部(195±85)ms 对 (141±79)ms3、舒张期基底部和心尖部心内膜和心外膜平均旋转速度达峰时间[基底部(446±58)ms 对 (491±53)ms;心尖部(453±57)ms 对 (466±85)ms]及收缩期心内膜和心外膜平均旋转的达峰时间[基底部(296±69)ms对(292±63)ms;心尖部(251±67)ms 对 (295±66)ms]差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05).结论 速度向量成像技术可无创伤性评价左心室环向旋转和扭转运动,正常人左心室具有特征性旋转运动.     

Contrast enhanced echocardiographic follow-up of cardiac remodeling and function after myocardial infarction in rats

Echocardiography is a reliable and commonly used method to examine cardiac diseases. Recent employment of modern technologies provides new opportunities to study left ventricular (LV) remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI) also in small rodents. LV volumes as most important prognostic parameters can be estimated by noncontrast enhanced echocardiography in rats from M-mode or single cross sections only. In this study, contrast enhanced echocardiography and volume measurements by the biplane method of discs (Simpson's rule) were applied in rats to monitor remodeling and function after MI. MI was induced in female Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 26 for MI, and n = 16 for sham). LV remodeling and heart function were serially studied by contrast enhanced echocardiography for 12 to 16 wk. At the end of the observation periods hemodynamic data were additionally measured by left and right heart catheterization. LV end systolic volume (LVESV) measured by biplane method of discs correlated best with LV developed pressure as indicator for severely impaired heart function. Interestingly, LV end systolic area (LVESA) from native short axis view correlated well with LVESV (R(2) = 0.93) and was the second best predictor for depressed heart function. Moreover, left atrial size was a powerful indicator of severely impaired heart function whereas ejection fraction or fractional area change were primarily related to infarct size. In conclusion, contrast enhanced echocardiography in rats is feasible and an economical method to study time-dependent LV remodeling and deterioration of contractile function after MI.     

改进的解剖M型超声心动图对左室短轴局部心肌运动速度的评价

目的了解应用改进的解剖M型超声心动图技术评价局部心肌运动速度的可行性。方法随机选取40例正常人和25例扩张型心肌病(DCM)心衰患者,应用改进的解剖M型超声对胸骨旁左室短轴切面三个水平的前间隔和后壁的收缩期、舒张早期及舒张晚期的峰值速度(即S峰、E峰、A峰)分别进行采集和测量。并在组织多普勒超声定量组织速度成像模式(QTVI)下,分别检测相应的峰值速度,比较两种技术在测量相同部位和时相峰值速度的差异及相关性。同时应用改进的解剖M型技术对短轴同一平面(乳头肌水平)各个节段局部心肌的三个时相运动速度进行比较。再由两个检测者应用此技术在双盲条件下,对乳头肌水平部分峰值速度进行重复性检验。结果改进的解剖M型超声测值与组织多普勒测值较接近,但前者多数略高于后者。一致性检验显示,在正常组和DCM心衰组有部分数据两种技术的测值差异具有统计学意义(P<0.05)。相关性分析显示,两种技术检测结果相关性好。应用改进的解剖M型技术对同一平面各个节段局部心肌运动速度进行比较,仅在小部分峰值速度略有差异。两个检测者的重复性检验结果未见统计学差异(P>0.05)。结论改进的解剖M型超声在评价心肌局部运动方面是一种可行的、有待开发完善的新技术。     

Interobserver,Intraobserver and Intrapatient Reliability Scores of Myocardial Strain Imaging with 2-D Echocardiography in Patients Treated with Anthracyclines

Myocardial strain imaging with 2-D echocardiography is a relatively new noninvasive method to assess myocardial deformation. To determine the interobserver, intraobserver and intrapatient reliability scores, we evaluated myocardial strain measurements of 10 asymptomatic survivors of childhood cancer. Ten patients were selected randomly out of a follow-up cohort of childhood cancer survivors. All 10 patients underwent a transthoracic echocardiographic examination. Two-dimensional gray scale images were made in parasternal apical four-chamber, apical two-chamber, midcavity short-axis and basal short-axis views. Offline analysis was performed using software for echocardiographic quantification (Echopac 6.1.0, GE Medical Systems, Horten, Norway). All echocardiographic studies were analyzed offline by three observers, separately (A.M., G.W., M.P.). A custom-made software package was designed for averaging the strain curves of three consecutive cardiac cycles. Values of peak systolic strain, time-to-peak strain and time-to-end systole of the different segments of the left ventricle were used for statistical analysis. Interobserver, intraobserver and intrapatient reliability were expressed as intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Interobserver ICCs of peak strain, time to peak strain and time to aortic valve closure (AVC) were generally good to very good in all views and segments, except for in the two-chamber view. Intraobserver ICCs were rated as very good for almost all segments, except for the longitudinal peak strain values of the two-chamber view. Intrapatient ICCs were generally good for the two-chamber, four-chamber and midcavity short-axis views, but fair to moderate for the segments of the basal short-axis view (SaxMV). We recommend use of the four-chamber view for longitudinal peak strain values, and the basal and midcavity short-axis views for radial and circumferential peak strain values. Furthermore, we strongly recommend using the average of three cardiac cycles for peak strain values in clinical studies. (E-mail: A.Mavinkurve@cukz.umcn.nl)