Strain-encoded MRI to evaluate normal left ventricular function and timing of contraction at 3.0 Tesla

✍ Scribed by Ashraf Hamdan; Thomas Thouet; Sebastian Kelle; Ernst Wellnhofer; Ingo Paetsch; Rolf Gebker; Bernhard Schnackenburg; Ahmed S. Fahmy; Nael F. Osman; Axel Bornstedt; Eckart Fleck

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2009
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 870 KB
• Volume: 29
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 1053-1807
• DOI: 10.1002/jmri.21684

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Purpose

To define the reproducibility of strain‐encoded (SENC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for assessment of regional left ventricular myocardial strain and timing of contraction in a 3T MRI system.

Materials and Methods

The study population consisted of 16 healthy subjects. SENC measurements were performed in three short‐axis (SA) slices (apical, mid, and basal) and three long‐axis (LA) views (two‐, three‐, and four‐chamber) for assessment of maximal transmural systolic strain and time to peak strain. To assess the interobserver and interstudy reproducibility, analysis of SENC MRI was performed by two independent observers who were blinded to each other's results and four studies were repeated on a different day.

Results

Maximal longitudinal strain was highest at the apex, as was maximal circumferential strain. Peak longitudinal strain occurred earliest at the base, as did peak circumferential strain. Interclass correlation coefficient between observers and repeated studies ranged from 0.92 to 0.98 (P < 0.001 for all).

Conclusion

The present study demonstrates the ability of SENC MRI to define regional left ventricular strain and the time sequence of regional strain. SENC MRI may represent a highly objective method for quantifying regional left ventricular function. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2009;29:799–808. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.