Quantitative analysis of tissue Doppler data

Doppler myocardial imaging (DMI) represents one among the most promising ap plications of the Doppler tissue technique. Instead of addressing flow and/ or pressure events in the cardiac cavities, DMI applies the Doppler princip le to myocardial walls. A visual qualitative analysis of color Doppler myoc ardial images cannot show low velocity changes in myocardial walls, and a q uantitative analysis of tissue Doppler data is mandatory to assess myocardi al velocity gradient (MVG) across the wall thickness with the use of color images. Some data regarding the automatic quantification modalities that we developed in our laboratory and newer modalities are provided. Due to the continuously evolving technology and the recent combination of DMI with oth er modalities, this review should be considered as providing the "current o perational scope."