The development of left ventricular torsion and its clinical relevance

Left ventricular torsion is a measurement derived from the twisting or wringing motion of the heart around its long axis. The calculation is made by measuring the magnitude of rotation at the apex of the heart, and subtracting the rotation at the base. Although the phenomenon of left ventricular twisting was first described in the 17th Century, it wasn't until the 1960s that the first invasive method of measurement was demonstrated. Silver tantalum clips were sutured into the epicardium during cardiac surgery and viewed using cineradiography. Non-invasive torsion measurement has been subsequently developed, adopting Magnetic Resonance Imaging and 2D echocardiography. Interest in the changes of different components of torsion, during various cardiac disease states has developed with the advent of these non-invasive measurement techniques. This review article summarises the history of the development of torsion analysis and describes the known changes of torsion during different clinical circumstances.