Quantitative computer-assisted analysis of left ventricular wall thickening and motion by 2-dimensional echocardiography in acute myocardial infarction.

Quantitative regional wall motion analyses of 2-dimensional echocardiograms (2-D echo) have usually focused on large arcs (greater than 45 degrees) of the left ventricular (LV) perimeter rather than on small LV zones. Few studies have assessed changes in wall thickness. To determine normal ranges of regional LV function, the endocardial and epicardial contours of short-axis 2-D echoes obtained at the papillary muscle level of 10 normal subjects were manually traced. Then, 15 patients with acute myocardial infarction (MI) were studied, comparing their contours at admission with ranges determined from the normal subjects. In all patients with MI, 2-D echoes located abnormal wall motion involving at least the region identified as abnormal by the electrocardiogram and often extending into adjacent regions. All 9 patients with transmural MI had either decreased wall thickening or abnormal endocardial wall motion; all except 1 had focal thinning in the region of the MI. Of the 6 patients with nontransmural MI, 2 had abnormal endocardial wall motion, and all had decreased wall thickening. Evaluating regional wall motion at multiple points around the LV circumference should permit more precise delineation of LV function in health and disease than has been heretofore possible.