Abstract:Objective:To investigate the value of two-dimensional speckle tracking imaging in assessing regional myocardial dysfunction in a mouse model of acute myocardial infarction. Methods:Twenty C57/B6 mice were randomly divided into two groups: acute myocardial infarction (MI) group (n = 10) and sham-operation (SO) group (n = 10). Echocardiography was performed three days after surgery. High frame rate two dimensional images were recorded in the left ventricular short axis views at the papillary muscle level and analysised at EchoPac workstation. Peak radical strain (PRS) and peak radical strain rate (PRSR) of each segment were measured at systolic period. Left ventricular internal diameter at diastole (LVIDd) and systole (LVIDs), left ventricular volume at diastole (LVVd) and systole (LVVs), ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) were measured with anatomical M-model echocardiography. Results:Compared with those of SO group, LVIDd, LVIDs, LVVd and LVVs of MI group increased significantly(P < 0.01) while FS and EF reduced(P < 0.01); PRS and PRSR decreased significantly in all segments of MI group (P < 0.01), compared with those of SO group; PRSR of anterosepetal, anterior and lateral segments in MI group decreased significantly than other segments(P < 0.05). Conclusion:Two-dimensional strain imaging could accurately quantify regional myocardial function in a mouse model of acute myocardial infarction.