Intermediate Technical In the Industry Vocabulary Test

RWMA

Pronunciation: R-W-M-A

Also written as: RWMA — Regional Wall Motion Abnormality

Regional wall motion abnormality, describing impaired contraction in specific myocardial segments during cardiac imaging assessment.

Full Definition

Regional wall motion abnormality (RWMA) refers to localized impairment of myocardial contractile function affecting specific left ventricular segments. RWMAs are typically classified using a standardized scoring system: normal (1), mild hypokinesis (2), severe hypokinesis (3), akinesis (4), and dyskinesis (5). These abnormalities can result from acute ischemia, previous infarction, cardiomyopathy, or other myocardial pathology. Assessment of RWMAs is fundamental in stress echocardiography for detecting inducible ischemia and in routine imaging for evaluating cardiac function. The presence, location, and severity of RWMAs provide important diagnostic and prognostic information.

Usage

Usage note: Use plural RWMAs when referring to multiple abnormalities; specify segment locations when documenting.

In Context

"Stress echocardiography revealed new RWMA in the anterior wall at peak exercise." — Stress testing report
"The extent of RWMA correlated with the severity of coronary artery disease." — Cardiac function analysis

Also known as

segmental wall motion abnormality localized wall motion abnormality

Contrasted with

normal wall motion global wall motion abnormality

Don't confuse with

wall motion abnormality wall thickening abnormality

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