Echocardiography Methods for assessing systolic function (contractile function) Several echocardiographic measurements are available to assess left ventricular systolic function. These methods elucidate slightly different aspects…

…wall thickness (myocardial thickness). The left ventricle must generate sufficient contractile force to overcome the pressure in the aorta. The greater the pressure in the…

…interventions are time sensitive, and to maximize the likelihood of restoring spontaneous circulation, interventions should be adapted to the current phase. However, current guidelines do…

…Viable, stunned, and hibernating myocardium Viable dysfunctional myocardium is myocardial tissue whose contractile function improves after coronary revascularization. This functional definition encompasses several physiological states…

…including: Global and regional LV systolic function LV contractile reserve Valve function and stress related haemodynamic changes Diastolic function Pulmonary hypertension Coronary flow velocity reserve…

…that ultimately intracellular calcium concentration increases. This makes more calcium available to the contractile proteins which therefore produce stronger contractions. Lowering of the heart rate…

…1. Ventricular rhythm. One exception to the rule above should be noted. If an ectopic focus arises in or near the bundle of His, the…

…ischaemia should instead be classified as acute myocardial injury. Mechanisms of troponin release Troponin I and troponin T are components of the myocardial contractile apparatus…

…to consider loading conditions when evaluating the measured ejection fraction. Ideally, ejection fraction should be assessed during normal, with regards to the patient, loading conditions…

Echocardiography Echocardiographic assessment of regional contractile function Systolic ventricular function is one of the strongest predictors of total and cardiovascular mortality. Previous chapters have discussed…