Right ventricle shape and contraction patterns and relation to magnetic resonance imaging findings.
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.
Fritz
Jan
J
Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21287, USA.
Solaiyappan
Meiyappan
M
Tandri
Harikrishna
H
Bomma
Chandra
C
Genc
Ahmet
A
Claussen
Claus D
CD
Lima
João A C
JA
Bluemke
David A
DA
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*