Abstract
Speckle tracking is a non-Doppler, angle-independent method that enables the measurement of myocardial velocity and deformation using frame-by-frame tracking of bright myocardial areas, often termed “kernels”. With the advent of this non-Doppler technology, data on velocity, strain, and strain rate of cardiac ventricles during the fetal period have been accumulated. Of importance, speckle tracking analysis provided new insights into regional as well as global myocardial motion. With its application to “sick fetuses”, speckle tracking has potential impact on in utero assessment of fetal cardiac function leading to the optimal perinatal management.
