Myocardial infarction (MI) and the consequent heart failure are the leading cause of death in the world population.
1 Increasing importance are assuming the evidence and the extent of regional and global cardiac disfunction in coronary artery disease, not only as criteria in diagnosis of heart failure, but also as predictors of the clinical outcome.
2 Coronary heart disease and MI are typically associated with increase of Left Ventricular (LV) and Right Ventricular (RV) volumes and the reduction of LV Ejection Fraction (EF). As indicators of impaired systolic function, several studies have documented the power of the volumetric parameters in prediction of a poor long-term prognosis. An accurate assessment of LV function in patients with prior MI assumed a fundamental role in the management and prevention of cardiovascular disease.
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