title: Right ventricle shape and contraction patterns and relation to magnetic resonance imaging findings.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze and to describe the shape and contraction of the normal right ventricle (RV) as visualized by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty normal volunteers were imaged using cine MRI in axial, short-axis, and long-axis planes. The shape and contraction of the RV were qualitatively evaluated. Quantitative evaluation of RV shape was performed by calculating the angle subtended between the planes of horizontal long-axis view (HLA) and axial view and the RV base-to-apex distance. Multiplanar reformation was used to visualize changes between corresponding views.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The spectrum of major RV shape (wedge, box, and round) was more variable on axial images (17%, 43%, and 23%, respectively) than on HLA images (63%, 20%, and 0%, respectively). Focal outpouching of the RV free wall was more frequent on the axial view than on the HLA view. The subtended plane angle and base-to-apex distance showed statistically significant dependence indicative of an artificially foreshortened RV in the axial view with a direct influence on RV variations.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With increasing subtended angles, variation of the normal RV appearance is substantially higher on axial views compared with HLA views.
authors.affiliation: Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fritz
authors.forename: Meiyappan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Solaiyappan
authors.forename: Harikrishna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Tandri
authors.forename: Chandra
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bomma
authors.forename: Ahmet
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Genc
authors.forename: Claus D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Claussen
authors.forename: João A C
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Lima
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Bluemke
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D012016:Reference Values; D016276:Ventricular Function; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right / Q000502:physiology*