Abstract:Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of quantitative tissue velocity imaging (QTVI) in the detection of right ventricle function in a rabbit model of pulmonary artery embolism. Methods Twenty-two healthy adult rabbits were used in this study. The animal models of acute pulmonary embolism were created by injecting gelatin sponge into the ear vein of rabbits. The changes of right ventricle function were dynamically observed at immediately, 1 week, and 3 weeks after the establishment of acute pulmonary embolims models. QTVI images of the 4-chamber view at cardiac apex were recorded and analyzed by off-line analysis. Results The VP was significantly reduced immediately after the models were built compared with the data before modeling in both the basal and middle segments, the TQ-S was prolonged, and Ve/Va>1 (P<0.05). The VP at 1 week after modeling was not significantly decreased than the data before modeling in both the basal and middle segments, and the TQ-S was prolonged, but the Ve/Va ratio was <1 (P<0.05). At 3 weeks after modeling, the VP was decreased compared with the data before modeling, and the Ve/Va ratio was <1 (P<0.05). The intra-group comparison showed that the VP of the basal segment of right ventricle free wall was enhanced than that of the middle segment (P<0.05), but TQ-S was not obviously prolonged in both the two segments. Conclusions Quantitative tissue velocity imaging can reflect the contraction and relaxation of right ventricle in rabbits precisely. It is a good method to evaluate the function of right ventricle in animal models of pulmonary artery embolism.