Evaluation of regional myocardial function in ischemic heart disease by echocardiography.

Echocardiography can display motion abnormalities of acutely or chronically ischemic myocardium. In experimental studies, this permits the evaluation of the effect on regional dyskinesis of potentially therapeutic interventions. In clinical studies, the demonstration of segmental dyskinesis has been primarily useful for diagnostic purposes. As more experience is gained with the newer two-dimensional cross-sectional ultrasound techniques, it appears likely that these will afford a major advance in the diagnosis of ischemic heart disease by permitting the routine noninvasive demonstration of segmental ventricular dyskinesis and assessment of regional myocardial function.