Assessment of regional left ventricular function by magnetic resonance

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Diagnostic Radiology
• Cardiac MRI

Background:

• Assessing regional left ventricular function is crucial for diagnosing and managing cardiac conditions.
• Traditional methods like ventriculography have limitations in providing detailed regional functional analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the capability of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in determining regional left ventricular (LV) function.
• To compare MR-assessed regional wall motion and thickness with X-ray ventriculography findings.

Main Methods:

• Coronal and sagittal MR images of the left ventricle were acquired at end diastole and end systole in 18 patients.
• Regional wall motion and muscle thickness were analyzed and compared to X-ray ventriculograms.
• LV wall was divided into segments, and motion was classified (normal, hypokinetic, akinetic, dyskinetic).

Main Results:

• MR-based wall motion assessment agreed with X-ray ventriculography in 68 out of 105 segments.
• Differences in assessment were attributed to imaging modality and projection disparities.
• MR imaging identified abnormal wall thickness in 25 segments, correlating with infarction history.

Conclusions:

• Magnetic resonance imaging provides an accurate, non-invasive method for assessing left ventricular wall motion and thickness.
• MR imaging is particularly sensitive in detecting wall thinning associated with myocardial infarction.
• This technique offers a valuable tool for the diagnosis of various cardiac abnormalities.