Tissue Doppler and strain imaging: anything left in the echo-lab?

• Main Authors: Citro Rodolfo, Bossone Eduardo, Kuersten Bettina, Gregorio Giovanni, Salustri Alessandro
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2008-10-01
• Series: Cardiovascular Ultrasound
• Online Access: http://www.cardiovascularultrasound.com/content/6/1/54

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Medline research indicates that an increasing number of manuscripts have been published in the last decade claiming, the feasibility and the potential clinical role of tissue Doppler and strain/strain rate imaging. However, despite this amount of scientific evidence, these technologies are still confined to dedicated, high-tech, research-oriented echocardiography laboratories. In this review we have critically evaluated these techniques, analysing their physical principles, the technical problems related to their current clinical application, and the future perspectives. Finally, this review explores the reasons why these technologies are still defined "new technologies" and the impact of their implementation on the current clinical activity of an echocardiography laboratory.</p>