Background Rotation of the left ventricular(LV)apex to the base,or LV torsion,is related to myocardial contractility and structure and has recently been recognized as a sensitive indicator of cardiac performance,but it has been difficult to measure.The recent development of 2-dimensional(2D)speckle tracking imaging(STI)may provide a powerful means of assessing LV torsion.This study was conducted to evaluate the global and regional LV twist in patients with anterior wall myocardial infarction(AMI)disease before and after revascularization by STI.Methods 2D STI was performed in 35 AMI patients before and one month after revascularization,as well as in 32 normal controls.Left ventricular global and regional rotations were obtained at basal and apical short-axis levels;LV torsion was defined as apical rotation relative to the base.The time sequences were normalized to the percentage of systolic and diastolic duration.Results Before revascularization,LV peak regional and global torsion in patients with Aml were significantly reduced as the result of reduced apical and basal rotation relative to those of normal control group(all P