Assessment of myocardial viability by echocardiography

Abstract

Clinical application of myocardial viability testing to improve patient outcome is still a concept in evaluation. The various echocardiographic, nuclear, and magnetic resonance imaging techniques of assessment of myocardial viability evaluate different aspects of ischemic pathophysiology and have certain distinct advantages and limitations. A clinical algorithm combining “anatomic” and “flow/function” imaging gives more specific result of myocardial viability. Different modalities of echocardiography form the basic and cost-effective tools to assess the anatomic and functional aspect of viability.

Keywords

• dobutamine stress echocardiography
• myocardial contrast echocardiography
• myocardial viability
• strain and strain rate