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Myocardial Extracellular Volume Fraction Measured by Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Negatively Correlates With
Shi-Jun Zhang1, Di Chang1, Ji-Yang Jin1
1Department of Radiology, Zhongda Hospital, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Molecular and Functional Imaging, Medical School of Southeast University, Nanjing, China.
Background:
The extracellular volume fraction (ECV) derived from cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is extensively used to evaluate myocardial fibrosis. However, due to the limited histological verification in healthy individuals, it remains unclear whether the size of cardiomyocytes may play a potential role in the physiological changes of ECV. The aim of this study was to examine the association between cardiomyocyte size and myocardial ECV by using a healthy porcine model.
Methods:
Sixteen domestic healthy pigs were anesthetized and underwent cardiac MRI with mechanical controlled breathing. Intravenous contrast medium was introduced at a dose of 0.2-0.25 mmol/kg. The interventricular septum ECV was calculated using an established MRI procedure, which was based on the pre- and post-contrast T1 values of the heart and individual blood hematocrit. The cardiomyocyte breadth (CmyB) in cross section was measured by hematoxylin and eosin staining to reflect the cardiomyocyte size.
Results:
Data were successfully acquired from 14 pigs. The CmyB was obtained from the myocardial tissues corresponding to the region of interest on cardiac MRI. The mean ± SD of the ECV was 0.253 ± 0.043, and the mean ± SD of the CmyB was 10.02 ± 0.84 μm. The ECV exhibited a negative correlation with the CmyB (r = -0.729, p = 0.003).
Conclusion:
The myocardial ECV detected by cardiac MRI is negatively correlated with the CmyB in healthy pigs, demonstrating that the size of cardiomyocytes is potentially associated with the ECV under physiological conditions.
Insights
In healthy pigs, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) extracellular volume fraction (ECV) negatively correlates with cardiomyocyte size. This suggests cardiomyocyte dimensions influence ECV measurements in normal physiological states.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Histology
- Physiology
Background:
- Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) extracellular volume fraction (ECV) is a key metric for assessing myocardial fibrosis.
- The influence of cardiomyocyte size on physiological ECV in healthy individuals is not well understood.
- Limited histological data in healthy subjects hinders the interpretation of ECV changes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between cardiomyocyte size and myocardial ECV in a healthy porcine model.
- To determine if cardiomyocyte dimensions affect ECV measurements under normal physiological conditions.
Main Methods:
- Cardiac MRI was performed on 16 healthy pigs under controlled ventilation.
- Extracellular volume fraction (ECV) was calculated from pre- and post-contrast T1-weighted images and hematocrit.
- Cardiomyocyte breadth (CmyB) was measured via hematoxylin and eosin staining of myocardial tissue.
Main Results:
- Data from 14 pigs were analyzed.
- Mean ECV was 0.253 ± 0.043 and mean CmyB was 10.02 ± 0.84 μm.
- A significant negative correlation was found between ECV and CmyB (r = -0.729, p = 0.003).
Conclusions:
- Myocardial ECV measured by cardiac MRI is inversely related to cardiomyocyte size in healthy pigs.
- Cardiomyocyte size appears to be a significant factor influencing ECV under physiological conditions.
- These findings provide insights into the interpretation of ECV in cardiovascular health and disease.
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