Objective: This study aimed to assess the rotation and torsion in the
endocardial, epicardial, and global myocardium using two-dimensional
speckle tracking imaging(2D-STI) in patients with rheumatic heart
disease who underwent aortic valve replacement (AVR). Methods: This
study included 42 AVR patients [(23 F/19 M, aged (62.7±11.2) years]
and 25 normal control [(16 F/9 M, aged (63.3±10.5) years]. 2D-STI
was performed in five consecutive heart beats, and data were stored for
offline analysis using Q-Lab. The peak systolic rotation of the
endocardial, epicardial, and global myocardium in the left ventricular
basal and apical walls were measured using 2D-STI. The torsion and
twisting angles of the sub-endocardial, sub-epicardial, and global
myocardium were calculated. Results: Rotation at the left ventricular
basal level of the study group was not significantly reduced compared
with that in the normal control group. However, at the apical level,
rotation was significantly reduced (p=0.03, 0.003, 0.004). The torsion
angle of the study group was significantly reduced compared with that of
the normal control group (p=0.006, 0.003, 0.003). Furthermore, patients
with different left ventricular ejection function after AVR showed
differences in torsion of the endocardial, epicardial, and global
myocardium. Conclusions: The systolic rotation and twist of the
subendocardial, sub-epicardial, and global myocardium in the left
ventricle were reduced, whereas those at the basal level remained
unchanged. After AVR, old patients have an almost complete recovery of
left ventricular rotational motion at the basal level. 2D-STI is a
useful non-invasive tool for evaluation of the left ventricular regional
function.