RWMA
Also written as: RWMA — Regional Wall Motion Abnormality
Regional wall motion abnormality detected on cardiac imaging, indicating areas of impaired myocardial contractility.
Full Definition
Regional wall motion abnormalities (RWMA) represent areas of the myocardium that demonstrate abnormal contraction patterns during systole, as assessed by echocardiography, cardiac MRI, or other imaging modalities. These abnormalities can range from mild hypokinesis to complete akinesis or paradoxical motion (dyskinesis), and may indicate acute ischemia, prior infarction, stunning, hibernation, or non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. The pattern and distribution of RWMAs often correlate with specific coronary artery territories.
Usage
Usage note: Specify the affected segments using standard nomenclature (e.g., 17-segment model) for precise localization.
In Context
- "Stress echocardiography revealed inducible RWMA in the inferior and inferolateral segments." — stress test report
- "No significant RWMA were observed at rest, with preserved left ventricular systolic function." — baseline echocardiography