Strain-encoded (SENC) magnetic resonance imaging to evaluate regional heterogeneity of myocardial strain in healthy volunteers: Comparison with conventional tagging.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the ability of strain-encoded (SENC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for regional systolic and diastolic strain analysis of the myocardium in healthy volunteers.


METHODS
Circumferential and longitudinal peak systolic strain values of 75 healthy volunteers (35 women and 40 men, mean age 44 +/- 12 years) were measured using SENC at 1.5T. MR tagging was used as the reference standard for measuring regional function. Diastolic function was assessed in the 10 youngest (24 +/- 8 years) and 10 oldest (62 +/- 5 years) subjects.


RESULTS
Peak strain values assessed with SENC were comparable to those obtained by MR tagging, showing narrow limits of agreement (limits of agreement -5.6% to 8.1%). Regional heterogeneity was observed between different segments of the left ventricle (LV) by both techniques (P < 0.001). Longitudinal strain obtained by SENC was also heterogenous (P < 0.001). Interestingly, no age- or gender-specific differences in peak systolic strain were observed, whereas the peak rate of relaxation of circumferential strain rate was decreased in the older group.


CONCLUSIONS
SENC is a reliable tool for accurate and objective quantification of regional myocardial systolic as well as diastolic function. In agreement with tagged MRI, SENC detected slightly heterogeneous myocardial strain within LV segments.
Neizel
Mirja
M
Department of Cardiology, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Lossnitzer
Dirk
D
Korosoglou
Grigorios
G
Schäufele
Tim
T
Lewien
Antje
A
Steen
Henning
H
Katus
Hugo A
HA
Osman
Nael F
NF
Giannitsis
Evangelos
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D055815:Young Adult