title: Cold ischaemic time and time after transplantation alter segmental myocardial velocities after heart transplantation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate changes in segmental, three-directional left ventricular (LV) velocities in patients after heart transplantation (Tx).
  
  
  METHODS
  Magnetic resonance tissue phase mapping was used to assess myocardial velocities in patients after Tx (n = 27) with normal LV ejection fraction (63 ± 5%) and those without signs of rejection. Regional wall motion and dyssynchrony were analysed in relation to cold ischaemic time (150 ± 57 min, median = 154 min), age of the donor heart (35 ± 13 years, median = 29 years), time after transplantation (32 ± 26 months, median = 31 months) and global LV morphology and function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Segmental myocardial velocities were significantly altered in patients with cold ischaemic times >155 min resulting in an increase in peak systolic radial velocities (2 of 16 segments, P = 0.03-0.04) and reduced segmental diastolic long-axis velocities (5 of 16 segments, P = 0.01-0.04). Time after transplantation (n = 8 patients <12 months after Tx vs n = 19 >12 months) had a significant influence on systolic radial velocities (increased in 2 of 16 segments, P = 0.01-0.04) and diastolic long-axis velocities (reduced in 5 of 16 segments, P = 0.02-0.04). Correlation analysis and multiple regression revealed significant relationships of cold ischaemic time (R = -0.384, P = 0.048), the donor heart's age (β= 0.9, P = 0.01) and time from transplantation (β= -0.36, P = 0.03) with long-axis diastolic dyssynchrony.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Time after transplantation and cold ischaemic time strongly affect segmental systolic and diastolic motion in patients after Tx. The understanding of alterations in regional LV motion in the transplanted heart under stable conditions is essential in order to utilize this methodology in the future as a potentially non-invasive means of diagnosing transplant rejection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology and Angiology I, University Heart Centre Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Föll
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Markl
authors.forename: Marius
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Menza
authors.forename: Asad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Usman
authors.forename: Tobias
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wengenmayer
authors.forename: Anna Lena
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Anjarwalla
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bode
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Carr
authors.forename: Bernd
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jung
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity / Q000502:physiology*; D050377:Cold Ischemia; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016027:Heart Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D019028:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009200:Myocardial Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Heart transplantation; Magnetic resonance imaging; Myocardial velocities; Tissue phase mapping