AIM: To evaluate global left ventricular (LV) systolic longitudinal and circumferential strain rates, rotation, and axial torsion in relation to the type of postinfarction LV remodeling in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and severe LV dysfunction. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Studies were performed in 58 patients with sustained anterior myocardial infarction, an ejection fraction of less than 40%, and NYHA Functional Class IlI-IV heart failure. Three types of postinfarction LV remodeling were identified: 1) with LV apical aneurysm; 2) an intermediate type; 3) with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Global LV systolic longitudinal and circumferential strain rates, end-systolic basal (RotMV/RottMV) and apical (Rot(apex)/RotRapex) rotation, and axial torsion axis were estimated as an indicator of global LV systolic function. RESULTS: No differences were found in the basal global LV longitudinal and circumferential strain rates, basal rotation, and rotation rate between the patients with 3 types of LV remodeling. In the patients with type 1 LV remodeling, the basal rotation was higher than the apical one (RotMV - Rot(apex): -3.085 +/- 2.821 versus 2.293 +/- 1.021; p = 0,002; RotR(MV)--RotRapex: -22.452 +/- 19.823/c(-1) versus 13.641 +/- 10.745/c(-1); p = 0.003). In type 2 postinfarction LV remodeling, the basal and apical rotation values did not differ statistically significantly. Impaired apical rotation (in a clockwise direction) was identified in 5 of the 16 patients with type 3 LV remodeling (Rot(apex): -1.477 +/- 0.392; RotRapex: -30.572 +/- 13.735/c(-1)). There were no differences in the value of LV axial torsion between types 1 and 2 LV postinfarction remodeling (Type 1, 6.714 +/- 3.017; Type 2, 7.463 +/- 5.416). CONCLUSION: It was shown for the first time that there were no differences in global LV longitudinal and circumferential strain rates and end-systolic LV rotation between the patients with types 1 and 2 postinfarction LV remodeling.