Echocardiography is a useful imaging modality for the evaluation of heart failure and its response to treatment. In the past 5 years, the application of speckle tracking technology to 3D echocardiographic datasets (3D wall motion tracking) has enabled comprehensive evaluation of cardiac mechanics in three dimensions. Here, Yiu-fai Cheung discusses the principles of 3D wall motion tracking, the assessment of myocardial deformation using this novel imaging modality, its clinical applications and limitations, as well as the future of this technology.
