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Evaluation of left ventricular hypertrophy by magnetic resonance imaging
1Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224.
Insights
Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is a common heart condition. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) accurately measures left ventricular mass, aiding treatment assessment without shape or perfusion assumptions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an increase in left ventricular mass, often a response to various heart diseases.
- Regression of LVH can indicate treatment effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the limitations of existing methods for measuring left ventricular mass.
- To present magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a superior method for accurate LVH assessment.
Main Methods:
- Existing methods for mass determination often rely on limited imaging planes or assume homogeneous myocardial perfusion.
- These assumptions can be inaccurate in disease states.
Main Results:
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides high-resolution visualization of the entire heart.
- MRI enables accurate measurement of left ventricular mass irrespective of cardiac shape or myocardial perfusion.
Conclusions:
- MRI is the preferred method for determining left ventricular mass in clinical investigations.
- MRI facilitates reliable serial evaluation of patients with conditions causing LVH.
Abstract:
Left ventricular hypertrophy, manifested as an increase in left ventricular mass, is commonly seen as a response to heart disease of various etiologies. Regression of hypertrophy may serve as a gauge to the efficacy of treatment. Although many methods are available for determination of mass, most of these either visualize the heart in limited numbers of planes and therefore require that assumptions about left ventricular shape be made, or are dependent on homogeneous myocardial perfusion. These assumptions may be invalid in disease status. Magnetic resonance imaging allows high-resolution visualization of the entire heart, and therefore, accurate measurement of left ventricular mass, in a fashion that does not depend on shape or perfusion. This is the method of choice for mass determination in clinical investigations and for serial evaluation of selected patients.