Angle dependence and reproducibility of cyclic variation of integrated backscatter in normal myocardium

The aim of the study was to assess normal values for cyclic variation of integrated backscatter (CVIB) in different echocardiographic cross sections and myocardial regions and to determine the angle dependence as well as the reproducibility of CVIB. CVIB was measured frame by frame within 23 regions of interest in each of 10 healthy volunteers. Myocardial regions which provided perpendicular orientation of fibers to the ultrasound beam showed high and reproducible values of CVIB. Regions with parallel or oblique fiber orientation appear less suited for CVIB measurements.