[Evaluation of left ventricular systolic function using cine MRI--application to hypertrophic cardiomyopathy]

Cine MRI is a useful means to analyse the anatomical and functional changes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. The visual evaluation of hypertrophic regions and the motion patterns of their walls is in most cases possible on cine MR images. To complement a subjective method a certain quantitative analysis is necessary. Left ventricular regional systolic function can be quantitatively evaluated using cine MRI images printed on films. There is a good correlation between % thickness of LV wall and its thickness at end diastolic phase. The comparison of % thickness of normal subjects with that of hypertrophic cardiomyopathies shows a tendency of its value being less at the region of more severe hypertrophic change.