Quantitative analysis of left ventricular wall motion and thickness using two-dimensional echocardiography

The real time two-dimensional ultrasonic imaging of the left ventricle made possible segmental echocardiographic measurements of wall motion and thickening and thinning. The underlying hypothesis is that measurements of regional wall motion could quantify the extent of myocardial ischemia and infarction; the method could be used as a truly non-invasive tool to assess the severity of damage from infarction and the effects of interventions designed to limit infarcts. The method is operator interactive. Each patient's data could be compared with data for a normal group. The selection criteria for the normal patients have been described. The confidence region of the normal group and the effect of averaging over three tracings for three heartbeats have been computed. Technical difficulties inherent in the method and possible improvements are discussed.