Normal values of regional left ventricular endocardial motion: multicentercolor kinesis study

Our goal was to establish normal values for quantitative color kinesis inde xes of left ventricular (LV) wall motion over a wide range of ages, which a re required for objective diagnosis of regional systolic and diastolic dysf unction. Color-encoded images were obtained in 194 normal subjects (95 male s, 99 females, age 2 mo to 79 yr) in four standard views. Quantitative inde xes of magnitude and timing of systolic and diastolic function were studied for age- and gender-related differences. Normal limits of all ejection and filling indexes were in a narrow range (less than or equal to 25% of the m ean), with no major gender-related differences. Despite invariable ejection fractions, both peak filling and ejection rates decreased with age (30 and 20%, correspondingly) with a concomitant increase in mean filling and ejec tion times, resulting in five- and twofold increases in the late to early f illing and ejection ratios, correspondingly. Diastolic asynchrony increased with age (from 4.7 +/- 2.0 to 6.4 +/- 3.2 from the 2nd to 7th decade). The normal values of color kinesis indexes should allow objective detection of regional LV systolic and diastolic dysfunction.