New ultrasound technologies for quantitative assessment of left ventricular function

Abstract

Unfortunately, there is no easy solution to the continuing need to quantify regional function - the problem being complicated by issues of translational motion, tethering, torsional movements, image quality, and so on. All quantitative methods have at best matched but never outperformed the accuracy and reproducibility of qualitative expert reading for stress echocardiography. They have been shown to help the less expert reader, but should be considered a means of diagnostic support rather than a replacement for expert training. However, in routine work, reading by a trained observer remains the best, and only, way to diagnose wall motion abnormalities during stress echocardiography performe..