Abstract: AIM To evaluate local systolic and diastolic functions of left ventricle in patients with uremia using strain rate imaging( SRI) technique. METHODS Included in the study were 40 uremia patients:25 patients with left ventricular hypertrophy( LVH) and 15 patients without left ventricular hypertrophy( NLVH),and 30 normal control subjects. Apical four-chamber,apical two-chamber and apical LV longitudinal views were taken to measure left ventricular wall myocardial peak velocity( VS,VEand VA),peak strain rate( SRS,SREand SRA) ring systole and early diastole atrium contractions,and maximum strain and displacement. RESULTS No significant difference was found in VSand VAbetween uremia patients and control subjects. VEat posterior interventricular septum( PS) and inferior wall( IW) in NLVH group was significantly lower than in normal control group. Those of other walls except posterior wall( PW) significantly decreased in LVH group. Significant difference was found in VEof anterior interventricular septum( AS) with uremia patients between LVH group and NLVH group. SRSof left ventricular lateral wall( LW) in LVH group was significantly reduced compared with those in normal control group.SREof LW,IW and PW in NLVH group significantly decreased compared with those in normal control group. Except for that of PS,SREof other walls in LVH group showed significant differences from those in normal control group. SREof AS and anterior wall( AW) in LVH group significantly decreased compared to NLVH group. No significant difference was found in SRAbetween uremia patients and normal control group. Strain of LW in NLVH group was significantly different from that in normal control group. Except for that of PS,strain of other walls in LVH group showed a significant difference compared with that in control group. Displacement of PS in NLVH group was significantly reduced compared with that in normal control group. Strain of AW in LVH group was significantly lower than in NLVH group. Displacement of PS,PW,anterior interventricular septum and IW in LVH group significantly decreased compared with that in normal control group( P < 0. 05 and 0. 01,respectively). CONCLUSION Strain rate imaging can be used early for evaluation of left ventricular myocardial functions in patients with uremia.