dyskinesis
Pronunciation: dis-kih-NEE-sis
Paradoxical outward motion of a myocardial segment during systole, moving opposite to normal contraction.
Full Definition
Dyskinesis refers to paradoxical or abnormal wall motion where a myocardial segment moves outward during systole instead of contracting inward with the rest of the ventricle. This pattern is most commonly seen in areas of transmural myocardial infarction with aneurysm formation or severe scar tissue. Dyskinetic segments not only fail to contribute to cardiac output but actually impede ventricular emptying by expanding during systole. On standardized wall motion scoring, dyskinetic segments receive the highest abnormality score of 4. The presence of dyskinesis often indicates irreversible myocardial damage and may require surgical intervention such as aneurysmectomy in severe cases.
Usage
Usage note: Use specifically for paradoxical outward motion; implies worse prognosis than akinesis.
In Context
- "Echocardiography showed dyskinesis of the apical segments consistent with left ventricular aneurysm." — Heart failure evaluation
- "The patient developed dyskinesis of the anterior wall following large LAD infarction." — Post-myocardial infarction assessment