Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 10, 2025

In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Structure, Function, Perfusion and Viability Using Cardiac Micro-computed Tomography
08:13

In Vivo Quantitative Assessment of Myocardial Structure, Function, Perfusion and Viability Using Cardiac Micro-computed Tomography

Published on: February 16, 2016

19.7K

Cardiac CT fractal analysis of LV noncompaction and common cardiomyopathies

Ashish Manohar1, Ashley Wong2, Edgard Castillo3

  • 1Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Department of Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Radiology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Cardiovascular Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.

Journal of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography
|August 22, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Cardiac CT analysis using fractal dimensions can effectively differentiate left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC) from other cardiomyopathies. This method shows higher fractal dimensions in LVNC, aiding in diagnosis.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Medical Imaging
  • Biomedical Engineering

Background:

  • Left ventricular noncompaction (LVNC), or hypertrabeculation, presents diagnostic challenges in differentiating it from other cardiomyopathies.
  • Accurate diagnosis is crucial for appropriate patient management and treatment strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the efficacy of cardiac CT in distinguishing LVNC from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), and healthy controls.
  • To assess the utility of fractal analysis of left ventricular (LV) trabeculae for this differentiation.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of coronary CT angiography in 313 subjects (Controls, LVNC, HCM, DCM).
  • LV trabecular structure quantified using fractal analysis on CT images, reporting maximum (FDmax) and average (FDglobal) fractal dimensions.
  • Comparison with cardiac MRI (CMR) in a subset of subjects, employing ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and Bland-Altman analysis.

Main Results:

  • Significantly higher FDmax and FDglobal values were observed in the LVNC cohort compared to Control, HCM, and DCM cohorts (p < 0.001 for FDmax).
  • CT-derived fractal dimensions showed a strong correlation with CMR-derived values (r = 0.63, p < 0.0001).
  • CT-derived fractal dimensions were consistently higher than CMR-derived values in the comparative subset.

Conclusions:

  • Cardiac CT-derived fractal dimensions of LV trabecular structure are significantly elevated in LVNC.
  • Fractal analysis using cardiac CT serves as a valuable tool for differentiating LVNC from other cardiomyopathies.
  • CT-derived fractal dimensions correlate strongly with CMR findings, offering a potential alternative imaging modality.
Abstract

Keywords:
CardiomyopathyCoronary CT angiographyFractal analysisHypertrabeculationLeft ventricular noncompaction

More Related Videos

Evaluation of Left Ventricular Structure and Function using 3D Echocardiography06:34

Evaluation of Left Ventricular Structure and Function using 3D Echocardiography

Published on: October 28, 2020

4.1K
Tissue Preparation Techniques for Contrast-Enhanced Micro Computed Tomography Imaging of Large Mammalian Cardiac Models with Chronic Disease12:15

Tissue Preparation Techniques for Contrast-Enhanced Micro Computed Tomography Imaging of Large Mammalian Cardiac Models with Chronic Disease

Published on: February 8, 2022

2.6K

Related Concept Videos

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy01:29

Cardiomyopathy III: Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, is an autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy without ventricular dilation. It is more common in men and is typically diagnosed in young, athletic adults.EtiologyHCM is primarily genetic and is caused by mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Researchers have identified over 1400 mutations across at least 11 different genes. Among these, the most frequently occurring mutations are found in the...
47
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT01:28

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System V: CT

Cardiac computed tomography (CT) scanning is an advanced cardiac imaging technique that utilizes CT technology, with or without intravenous (IV) contrast, to produce accurate cross-sectional virtual slices of specific areas of the heart, coronary circulation, and major blood vessels such as the aorta, pulmonary veins, and arteries. The computer processes these slices to generate three-dimensional images. Multidetector CT (MDCT) is a rapid form of CT scanning that captures multiple slices...
66
Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification01:25

Cardiomyopathy I: Introduction and Classification

Cardiomyopathy, or CMP, is a group of diseases affecting the myocardial structure, impairing its ability to pump blood effectively. This condition can lead to arrhythmias, heart failure, or sudden cardiac death.Cardiomyopathies are classified into primary and secondary categories:Primary Cardiomyopathy refers to conditions involving only the heart muscle that are often idiopathic (of unknown cause) or genetic. They primarily affect the myocardium without the involvement of other systemic...
51
Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests01:23

Mitral Stenosis II: Clinical features and Diagnostic Tests

Mitral stenosis is a heart condition in which the mitral valve, which allows blood to flow from the left atrium to the left ventricle, becomes narrowed or stenotic. This narrowing hinders blood flow and leads to clinical symptoms requiring specific medical evaluations and management strategies. The following overview outlines the clinical symptoms, assessments, diagnostic findings, prevention methods, and treatments for mitral stenosis.Clinical ManifestationsDyspnea (shortness of breath): This...
37
Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests01:22

Aortic Regurgitation II: Clinical Features and Diagnostic Tests

Aortic valve regurgitation (AR) occurs when the aortic valve fails to close properly, allowing blood to flow backward from the aorta into the left ventricle. This backflow can result in two distinct clinical presentations: acute and chronic AR, each characterized by its own set of symptoms and physical findings.Acute Aortic RegurgitationAcute AR presents with a sudden onset of severe symptoms. Patients typically experience profound dyspnea (shortness of breath), chest pain, and signs of left...
52
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray01:20

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System III: X-Ray

The most common cardiovascular diagnostic test is an X-ray. It produces images of the heart, blood vessels, and adjacent structures.
Definition and Purpose
An X-ray, or radiograph, is a non-invasive method that uses ionizing radiation to take images of internal structures. It is mainly used in cardiac imaging to examine the heart, lungs, and major blood vessels, aiming to identify abnormalities in the heart's size, shape, and position, such as heart failure, congenital defects, and vascular...
297