Regional right ventricular function and timing of contraction in healthy volunteers evaluated by strain-encoded MRI

To prospectively determine the feasibility and accuracy of strain-encoded (SENC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the characterization of the right ventricular free wall (RVFW) strain and timing of contraction at 3.0 Tesla (3T) MRI.

In 12 healthy volunteers the RVFW was divided into three segments (anterior, lateral, and inferior) in each of three short-axis (SA) slices (apical, mid, and basal) and into three segments (apical, mid, and basal) in a four-chamber view. The study was repeated on a different day and interobserver and interstudy agreements were evaluated.

Maximal systolic longitudinal strain values were highest at the apex and base, with a pronounced decrease in the medial segments (apex: -19.1% +/- 1.4; mid: -17.4% +/- 2; base: -19.4% +/- 2.4, P < 0.001), and maximal systolic circumferential strain showed the highest values at the apex (apex: -18.1% +/- 1.7; mid: -17.6% +/- 1.2; base: -16.6% +/- 0.9, P < 0.001). Peak systolic longitudinal and circumferential shortening occurred earliest at the apex compared to the mid-ventricle and base. Excellent interobserver and interstudy correlation and agreement were observed.

The use of SENC MRI for the assessment of normal RV contraction pattern is feasible and accurate in 3T MRI.