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Updated: Jun 19, 2026
In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Structure, Function, Perfusion and Viability Using Cardiac Micro-computed Tomography
Published on: February 16, 2016
Sequential changes of myocardial microstructure in patients postmyocardial infarction by diffusion-tensor cardiac MR:
Ming-Ting Wu1, Mao-Yuan M Su, Yi-Luan Huang
1Faculty of Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan, Republic of China. wu.mingting@gmail.com
Background:
We used diffusion-tensor cardiac MR to investigate myocardial microstructure changes, including tissue integrity (mean diffusivity [MD], fractional anisotropy) and fiber architecture (helix angles) in patients with recent myocardial infarction (MI). This study aimed to investigate the sequential changes of myocardial microstructure and its relationships with changes of macrostructure and function of the left ventricle post-MI.
Methods And Results:
Seventeen patients (age, 55.1+/-11.5 years; all men) participated in the follow-up study. Diffusion-tensor cardiac MR, cine gradient echo for left ventricle function, and late gadolinium enhancement for viability were measured from recent to chronic MI (median interval, 191 days). When compared with the remote zone, the infarct-adjacent zone showed overall increase of MD (2-way MANOVA, F(1,16)=36.3; P<0.001), decrease of fractional anisotropy (F(1,16)=5.8; P=0.029), and decrease of mean helix angles (F(1,16)=62.0; P<0.001). From recent to chronic MI, there was overall sequential decrease of MD (F(1,16)=22.6; P<0.001) and increase of fractional anisotropy (F(1,16)=7.8; P=0.013). Multiple linear regression showed that the improvement of wall thickening in the infarct-adjacent zone correlated with sequential decrease of MD in the infarct-adjacent zone (r=-0.70; P=0.002) and increase of mean helix angles (ie, more right-handed helical myofiber reorientation, predominantly subendocardial location) in the remote zone (r=0.60; P=0.011). Likewise, wall thickening in the remote zone correlated with MD in the remote zone (r=-0.72; P=0.001) and mean helix angles in the infarct-adjacent zone (r=0.72; P=0.001).
Conclusions:
Diffusion-tensor cardiac MR suggests that sequential zonal improvement of tissue integrity and fiber architecture remodeling both associate with sequential recovery of zonal wall thickening of the left ventricle from recent to chronic MI.
Insights
Diffusion tensor cardiac MRI reveals that improving myocardial tissue integrity and fiber architecture after myocardial infarction (MI) correlates with better left ventricle wall thickening. These microstructural changes track with functional recovery from recent to chronic MI.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiac MRI
Background:
- Myocardial infarction (MI) causes significant changes in left ventricular (LV) microstructure.
- Diffusion-tensor cardiac MRI (DT-CMR) can assess tissue integrity (mean diffusivity [MD], fractional anisotropy) and fiber architecture (helix angles).
- Understanding sequential microstructural changes post-MI is crucial for predicting functional recovery.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate sequential changes in myocardial microstructure using DT-CMR after recent MI.
- To explore the relationship between microstructural remodeling and macrostructural/functional changes in the LV post-MI.
Main Methods:
- DT-CMR was used to measure MD, fractional anisotropy, and helix angles.
- Cine gradient echo assessed LV function, and late gadolinium enhancement evaluated myocardial viability.
- Measurements were taken from recent to chronic MI stages in 17 male patients.
Main Results:
- The infarct-adjacent zone showed increased MD, decreased fractional anisotropy, and decreased mean helix angles compared to the remote zone.
- From recent to chronic MI, MD sequentially decreased, and fractional anisotropy increased.
- Improved wall thickening correlated with decreased MD and increased helix angles in specific LV zones.
Conclusions:
- DT-CMR demonstrates sequential zonal improvements in tissue integrity and fiber architecture remodeling post-MI.
- These microstructural improvements are associated with the recovery of zonal wall thickening of the LV.
- DT-CMR provides valuable insights into the dynamic nature of myocardial recovery after MI.
