Assessment of left ventricular diastolic function by MR: why, how and when

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Radiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is the gold standard for systolic function assessment.
• Diastolic function evaluation is crucial for cardiovascular diagnosis and prognosis.
• Radiologists need enhanced knowledge of CMR for cardiovascular assessments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review mechanisms and causes of left ventricle diastolic dysfunction (LVDD).
• To provide a practical approach for assessing LV diastolic function using CMR.
• To illustrate the different degrees of diastolic dysfunction.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing ECG-triggering phase-contrast (PC) CMR.
• Measuring transmitral and pulmonary venous flow.
• Employing morphological and quantitative parameters familiar to cardiologists.

Main Results:

• ECG-triggering PC-CMR enables routine, accurate, and reproducible diastolic function assessment.
• Parameters used are comparable to those from transthoracic echocardiography.
• The technique facilitates a comprehensive evaluation of diastolic function.

Conclusions:

• CMR is increasingly vital for cardiovascular system evaluation.
• Radiologists require greater awareness and knowledge of LVDD.
• This review offers a practical guide for CMR-based diastolic function assessment.