Evaluation of right ventricular global and regional function during stress echocardiography using novel velocity vector imaging.

AIMS This study tested the feasibility of velocity vector imaging (VVI) analysis to quantitatively assess right ventricular (RV) function during stress echocardiography (SE). METHODS AND RESULTS We prospectively enrolled 73 patients (treadmill 38, dobutamine 35) undergoing SE using an Acuson C512 ultrasound system. The RV ejection fraction was measured for global RV function. The radial velocity, circumferential strain, and strain rate (SR) of four segments from the mid-level RV short-axis view, and the longitudinal velocity, strain, and SR of six segments from the RV apical four-chamber view were used to evaluate regional RV function. The VVI analysis successfully in 70 of 73 cases (96%). Fifty (71%) of the 70 demonstrated a normal response to stress, showing an increased RV ejection fraction (P < 0.001), and longitudinal velocity and SR in the basal lateral walls at peak stress (7.7 +/- 2.0-10.3 +/- 2.9 cm/s, -1.9 +/- 0.7 to -3.2 +/- 1.4/s, P < 0.001); the longitudinal displacement and strain of the same segment did not show a significant increase. CONCLUSION Quantitative assessment of global and regional RV function during SE was feasible using VVI analysis. Longitudinal velocity and SR of the RV basal lateral wall were significantly better than longitudinal displacement or strain for detecting RV response during SE.