Radiology of the right ventricle

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Right ventricular (RV) changes, including dilatation and hypertrophy, are common responses to increased preload and afterload.
• These changes can progress to RV failure, characterized by decreased systolic function and elevated pressures.
• Traditional radiographic methods have limited sensitivity for detecting RV disease due to its anatomical position.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of multiplanar MR imaging in assessing RV size, wall morphology, and function.
• To compare MR imaging with conventional methods for diagnosing RV dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• Utilized multiplanar MR imaging to visualize RV size and wall morphology.
• Applied Simpson's rule to tomographic slices for quantitative analysis of ventricular volume and myocardial mass.
• Compared MR imaging findings with conventional contrast right ventriculography and plain film radiography.

Main Results:

• Multiplanar MR imaging allows direct demonstration of RV size and wall morphology changes.
• Quantitative analysis of RV volume and myocardial mass is accurate and reproducible using MR imaging.
• MR imaging overcomes limitations of conventional techniques in evaluating RV dysfunction, especially in cases of pulmonary hypertension.

Conclusions:

• Multiplanar MR imaging is a superior technique for assessing RV size, morphology, and function.
• Accurate quantitative analysis of RV parameters by MR imaging aids in diagnosis and longitudinal monitoring of RV diseases.
• MR imaging provides valuable insights for managing patients with congenital and acquired conditions leading to RV dysfunction.