Evaluation of myocardial functional change in rabbit model with coronary artery atherosclerosis by quantitative tissue velocity imaging

Objective:To evaluate the value of quantitative tissue velocity imaging(QTVI) in assessing myocardial functional change in rabbit model with coronary artery artherosclerosis.Methods:The 20 rabbits were divided into two groups.The atheroslerosis group(AS group) included 10 rabbits fed with superfatted food for 12 weeks to model atherosclerosis.The normal group included another 10 rabbits fed with normal food for the same period.Routine echocardiography was performed in all rabbits to detect fraction shortening(FS),ejection fraction(EF) and the peak dialstolic blood velociy in mitral valve orifice(E).Quantitative tissue velocity imaging(QTVI) was performed in all rabbits.Peak systolic velocity and peak diastolic velocity derived from quantitative tissue velocity curve at mitral valve annulus(Sa,Ea) and middle segments of posterior interventricular septum,left ventricular anterolateral,anterior and inferior wall(Sm,Em) were mesured.Sa and Ea were averaged for the whole myocardial function,and the ratio of E and Ea(E/Ea) was calculated.Results:①EF([66.6±4.5]% vs [8.2±5.7]%),FS([33.6±3.2%] vs [34.9±4.3]%) and E([0.9±0.1] vs [0.9±0.1]m/s) were not significantly different between two groups.②In QTVI,the whole myocardial function decreased in AS group with Sa([4.3±1.0] vs [6.1±0.6]cm/s) and Ea([3.8±1.4] vs [6.8±0.7]cm/s) decreased and E/Ea([0.17±0.08] vs [0.09±0.02])increased.③In QTVI,the regional myocardial function decreased in AS group with Em decreased in middle segments of left ventricular anterior wall([2.3±1.7] vs [4.9±2.1] cm/s) and inferior wall([3.7±1.6] vs [5.5±1.1]cm/s)and Sm decreased in the middle segment of inferior wall([3.0±0.6] vs [4.3±0.5]cm/s).Conclusions:QTVI is sensitive in assessing myocardial functional change in rabbit model with coronary artery artherosclerosis.