Resting Myocardial Velocity Gradient Is a Reliable Measurement That Identifies Viable Myocardium

UNLABELLED: In the setting of coronary artery disease, two-thirds of LV dysfunction is not the result of irreversible scar, but rather caused by impairment in function and energy use of "still-viable" myocyte. The opportunity for improved function, if coronary blood flow is restored, is there which makes the identification of viable myocardium important. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify the value of resting myocardial velocity gradient (MVG) in detecting viable myocardium in patients with healed anterior wall myocardial infarction (MI). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 30 patients with healed anterior MI, who were submitted to conventional echocardiography and tissue Doppler for measurement of MVG. Myocardial perfusion scan using Technetium (Tc)-99m was the gold standard test for the detection of viability. Ten healthy control subjects were also included to obtain reference values for MVG. RESULTS: Resting MVG was able to differentiate infarct regions, and to detect viable myocardium compared to Tc-99m studies (0.68 +/- 0.2 vs 0.49 +/- 0.22) P < 0.01. CONCLUSION: MVG provides quantitative assessment of the regional wall thickening that help localizing the infarct zone and detecting viable myocardium at rest.