Assessment of Myocardial Stiffness With New Echocardiographic Methods

Abstract

Myocardial stiffness is a key determinant of cardiac function. So far, its assessment required invasive methods such as pressure-volume loop measurements or mechanical testing of tissue biopsies, which are both not suited for daily clinical use. However, recent advances in echocardiography offer promising non-invasive alternatives. Initial clinical studies in different pathologies are encouraging and indicate a huge potential of these new ultrasound-based techniques for evaluating myocardial stiffness. In this review, we explain the concept of myocardial stiffness, explore the most promising ultrasound techniques currently available for its evaluation, and discuss key insights from recent clinical research in the field.