What is defined as a "wall motion abnormality"?

A "wall motion abnormality" refers to any deviation from the normal regional contraction pattern of the heart muscle. In a healthy heart, all regions of the myocardium contract in a coordinated and effective manner, facilitating proper blood ejection and circulation. When a segment of the heart wall exhibits abnormal motion—whether it is hypokinetic (reduced motion), akinetic (no motion), or dyskinetic (motion in the wrong direction)—there is an indication of underlying cardiac dysfunction, often related to ischemia, infarction, or other myocardial pathologies.

Variations in wall motion can provide critical insights into the presence of coronary artery disease or heart muscle damage. For example, if a specific area of the myocardium does not contract effectively due to a lack of blood supply from narrowed arteries, this may lead to a distinct wall motion abnormality observable during echocardiography. This concept of assessing wall motion is fundamental in evaluating cardiac health and guiding clinical decisions for treatment or interventions.