Impact of myocardial structure and function postinfarction on diastolic strain measurements: implications for assessment of myocardial viability

We sought to assess the role of regional diastolic function by Doppler echocardiography in predicting myocardial viability. Sixteen dogs underwent left anterior descending coronary artery (n = 8) or circumflex (n = 8) occlusion. All animals were imaged at baseline and 1-8 wk postinfarction (post-MI). In 10 dogs, invasive hemodynamic monitoring with a conductance catheter placed in the left ventricle (LV) was performed at the above time points. Dobutamine was infused at 1-8 wk post-MI to determine LV contractile reserve. Histomorphological analysis was performed to determine the presence of viable myocardium and changes in interstitial matrix. Post-MI, diastolic strain rate measurements (in radial and longitudinal planes) decreased significantly in the distribution of the diseased artery (P < 0.01) and on multiple regression analysis were determined by time constant of LV relaxation, end-diastolic pressure, regional stiffness, and the ratio of cellular infiltration to collagen deposition in the interstitial matrix. Among several indexes, diastolic strain rate during dobutamine infusion readily identified segments with >20% transmural infarction and related best to the extent of interstitial fibrosis (r = -0.86, P < 0.01). In an animal model of healing canine infarcts, diastolic strain rate by Doppler echocardiography appears to be a promising novel index of myocardial viability.