Strain Imaging Echocardiography: What Imaging Cardiologists Should Know

Despite recent advances in clinical imaging, echocardiography remains as the most accessible and reliable noninvasive. Since knowledge of left ventricular systolic function remains so critically important in determining prognosis; every effort should be made to prevent subjective estimations. The advent of strain imaging echocardiography now offers a readily available and portable imaging tool that not only offers an objective characterization of myocardial dynamics; but also allows for early detection of subclinical left ventricular dysfunction. This review outlines the basic concepts of strain imaging to better understand the mechanism of myocardial function as well their applicability in the least common cardiac diagnosis among current clinical practice.