Performance of Myocardial Work as a Marker of Ischemia in Dipyridamole Stress Echocardiography

Background: There is scarce evidence about the assessment of myocardial work during dipyridamole stress echocardiography (DSE). Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the performance of myocardial work during DSE and to define its differences between patients with and without myocardial ischemia. Methods: This retrospective study included 30 patients; mean age was 69.9 ± 10 years and 45% were men. Results: Eight patients (27%) presented ischemia. After dipyridamole infusion, global myocardial work index (GWI) and global constructive work (GCW) decreased in the groups with and without ischemia. In patients with ischemia, global wasted work (GWW) increased and global work efficiency (GWE) decreased. In patients without ischemia, GWW decreased while GWE remained unchanged or significantly improved. Conclusions: In DSE myocardial ischemia was associated with increased GWW and decreased GWE. These findings warrant further studies to elucidate the responsible mechanisms.