Visualization of multidirectional regional left ventricular dynamics by high-temporal-resolution tissue phase mapping.
OBJECTIVE
To apply high-temporal-resolution tissue phase mapping (TPM) to derive a detailed representation of normal regional myocardial motion in a large cohort of 58 normal subjects (three age groups) and one patient with dilated cardiomyopathy.


METHODS
Analysis included transformation of the acquired myocardial velocities into radial, circumferential, and long-axis motion components representing left ventricular (LV) function with a spatiotemporal resolution of 1.3 x 2.6 x 8 mm(3) and 13.8 msec, respectively. To compare multidirectional regional myocardial velocities between groups of subjects, a multisegment and multislice visualization model was employed. Regional myocardial motion was mapped onto the visualization model to display the current status of myocardial motion from base to apex as in-plane velocity vector fields in conjunction with color-coded long-axis plane motion. Moreover, correlation analysis was used to investigate regional differences in myocardial dynamics.


RESULTS
Age-related changes in LV myocardial velocities resulted in significant differences of peak and time-to-peak velocities in the radial and long-axis directions. Correlation analysis revealed clearly visible regional differences in the temporal evolution of long-axis and circumferential velocities, particularly between the youngest and oldest age groups. Comparison of pathological LV motion with age-matched volunteers indicated marked regional alterations in myocardial velocities and dynamics.


CONCLUSIONS
High-temporal-resolution TPM in combination with a schematic visualization model and correlation analysis permits the identification of local changes in myocardial velocities associated with different age groups and a common LV pathology.
Föll
Daniela
D
Department of Cardiology and Angiology, University Hospital, Albert Ludwigs University Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
Jung
Bernd
B
Staehle
Felix
F
Schilli
Elfriede
E
Bode
Christoph
C
Hennig
Jürgen
J
Markl
Michael
M
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D005260:Female; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult