ABSTRACT
Abnormalities of left ventricular function can affect one or more specific areas of the left ventricular wall and then the left ventricle is said to show a regional wall motion abnormality. This chapter discusses the 16- and 17-segment models for describing the regional left ventricular function and the grading of wall motion as normal, hypokinetic, akinetic, dyskinetic or aneurysmal. The echo assessment of myocardial ischaemia and infarction is described, together with the complications of myocardial infraction, including cardiogenic shock, papillary muscle rupture, post-infarction ventricular septal defect, left ventricular aneurysm, mural thrombus, ventricular rupture and cardiac tamponade.
