Aim To use velocity vector imaging(VVI)to monitor changes in left ventricular twist in a New Zealand white rabbit model of acute myocardial ischemia. Methods Forty rabbits were randomly assigned to acute myocardial ischemia group and sham operation group. All rabbits were examined by dynamic echocardiography before the ligation or sham operation and again within 30 minutes afterwards. Peak rotate angle, peak twist velocity and peak untwist velocity were measured by VVI in the basal and apical level of the left ventricular myocardium. Results Peak rotate angle, peak twist velocity and peak untwist velocity in the basal level had no remarkable changes(P>0.05）. In contrast, peak rotate angle, peak twist velocity and peak untwist velocity in the apical level was significantly lower in the acute myocardial ischemia group after surgery than before, and it was significantly lower than in the control group after the sham operation(all P<0.05）. Similar results were obtained for global rotate angle, global twist velocity, and global untwist velocity of left ventricular. Conclusions Systolic twist and diastolic untwist decreased after myocardial ischemia, which was mainly caused by changes at apical level. VVI can accurately measure minor alterations in left ventricular twist of a rabbit model of acute myocardial ischemia. These findings suggest that VVI may provide a reliable, noninvasive quantitative tool for early diagnosis of acute myocardial ischemia.