(2).
The traditional TTE parameters assessed in myocarditis include left
ventricular (LV) regional or global dysfunction, presence of LV
dilatation, LV hypertrophy, right ventricular (RV) dysfunction,
bi-ventricular thrombi, pericardial effusions and diastolic dysfunction(2). These findings however
typically represent more clinically significant disease with more
substantial myocardial injury(1). Early and subclinical
myocardial dysfunction is usually not often recognised by standard
two-dimensional TTE, particularly in the setting of normal LV systolic
function as assessed through traditional measures such as LV ejection
fraction (LVEF). The emergence of advanced echocardiographic imaging
techniques such as two-dimensional and three-dimensional myocardial
strain, have allowed for identification of subclinical myocardial
dysfunction, and have been shown to increase sensitivity of
echocardiography in the diagnosis and prognosis of the disease