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Figure 13 | Cardiovascular Ultrasound

Figure 13

From: Myocardial contractility in the echo lab: molecular, cellular and pathophysiological basis

Figure 13

FFR, from myocardial strips to the echo lab. Time sequence during stress echo (upper panel). The force frequency relation is built off line. The force-frequency relationship is defined up-sloping when the peak exercise SP/ESV index is higher than baseline and intermediate stress values; biphasic, with an initial up-sloping followed by a later down-sloping trend, when the peak exercise systolic pressure/end-systolic volume index is lower than intermediate stress values; flat or negative, when the peak exercise systolic pressure/end-systolic volume index is equal to or lower than baseline stress values. The critical heart rate (or optimum stimulation frequency) is defined as the heart rate at which systolic pressure/end-systolic volume index reaches the maximum value during progressive increase in heart rate; in biphasic pattern, the critical heart rate is the heart rate beyond which the systolic pressure/end-systolic volume index has declined by 5%; in negative pattern the critical heart rate is the starting heart rate. The critical heart rate (or optimum stimulation frequency) is the human counterpart of the treppe phenomenon in isolated myocardial strips; the optimal heart rate is not only the rate that would give maximal mechanical performance of an isolated muscle twitch, but also is determined by the need for diastolic filling. ASD = atrial septal defect; CAD = coronary artery disease; IDDM = diabetic myopathy; MR = mitral regurgitation; DCM = dilated cardiomyopathy.

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