Accurate quantification and timing of regional myocardial function allows early identification of dysfunction, and therefore becomes increasingly important for clinical risk assessment, patient management, and evaluation of therapeutic efficacy. For this purpose, the application of tissue Doppler echocardiography has rapidly increased. However, echocardiography has some major inherent limitations. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging with tissue tagging provides highly reproducible data on myocardial function, not only in longitudinal and radial directions, but also in the circumferential direction. Because of the development of faster imaging protocols, improved temporal resolution, less time-consuming postprocessing procedures, and the potential of quantifying myocardial deformation in 3 dimensions at any point in the heart, this technique may serve as an alternative for tissue Doppler echocardiography and is now ready for more widespread clinical use. This review discusses the clinical use of cardiovascular magnetic resonance tissue tagging for quantitative assessment of regional myocardial function, thereby underlining the specific features and emerging role of this technique.

Although 3DSTE-derived LV volumes are underestimated in most patients compared with MRI, measurement of the LVEF revealed excellent accuracy. Measurements of CS were systematically greater (i.e. more negative) with 3DSTE than MRI, which likely reflects various inter-technique differences that preclude direct comparability of their measurements.

During left ventricular (LV) torsion, the base rotates in an overall clockwise direction and the apex rotates in a counterclockwise direction when viewed from apex to base. LV torsion is followed by rapid untwisting, which contributes to ventricular filling. Because LV torsion is directly related to fiber orientation, it might depict subclinical abnormalities in heart function. Recently, ultrasound speckle tracking was introduced for quantification of LV torsion. This fast, widely available technique may contribute to a more rapid introduction of LV torsion as a clinical tool for detection of myocardial dysfunction. However, knowledge of the exact function and structure of the heart is fundamental for understanding the value of LV torsion. LV torsion has been investigated with different measurement methods during the past 2 decades, using cardiac magnetic resonance as the gold standard. The results obtained over the years are helpful for developing a standardized method to quantify LV torsion and have facilitated the interpretation and value of LV torsion before it can be used as a clinical tool.

Purpose: To introduce a standardized method for calculation of left ventricular torsion by CMR tagging and to determine the accuracy of torsion analysis in regions using an analytical model. Methods:Torsion between base and apex, base and mid, and mid and apex levels was calculated using CSPAMM tagging and Harmonic Phase tracking. The accuracy of torsion analysis on a regional basis (circumferential segments and transmural layers) was analyzed using an analytical model of a deforming cylinder with a displaced axis of rotation (AoR). Regional peak torsion values from twelve healthy volunteers calculated by the described method were compared to literature. Results:The deviation from the analytical torsion per % AoR-displacement (of the radius) was 0.90 ± 0.44% for the circumferential segments and only 0.05% for the transmural layers. In the subjects, circumferentially, anterolateral torsion was larger than inferior (12.4 ± 3.9° vs. 5.0 ± 3.3°, N.S.). Transmurally, endocardial torsion was smaller than epicardial (7.5 ± 1.3° vs. 8.0 ± 1.5°, p < 0.001). Conclusion:Variability in the position of the AoR causes a large variability in torsion in circumferential segments. This effect was negligible for global torsion, and torsion calculated in transmural layers. Results were documented for the healthy human heart and are in agreement with data from literature.

BackgroundClinical data on myocardial function in HCM mutation carriers (carriers) is sparse but suggests that subtle functional abnormalities can be measured with tissue Doppler imaging before the development of overt hypertrophy. We aimed to confirm the presence of functional abnormalities using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), and to investigate if sensitive functional assessment could be employed to identify carriers.Results28 carriers and 28 controls were studied. Global left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) dimensions, segmental peak systolic circumferential strain (SCS) and peak diastolic circumferential strain rate (DCSR), as well as the presence of late Gadolinium enhancement (LGE) were determined with CMR. Septal and lateral myocardial velocities were measured with echocardiographic tissue Doppler imaging. lv mass and volumes were comparable between groups. Maximal septal to lateral wall thickness ratio (SL ratio) was larger in carriers than in controls (1.3 ± 0.2 versus 1.1 ± 0.1, p < 0.001). Also, LA volumes were larger in carriers compared to controls (p < 0.05). Both peak SCS (p < 0.05) and peak DCSR (p < 0.01) were lower in carriers compared to controls, particularly in the basal lateral wall. Focal LGE was present in 2 carriers and not in controls. The combination of a SL ratio >1.2 and a peak DCSR <105%.s-1 was present in 45% of carriers and in none of the controls, yielding a positive predictive value of 100%. Two carriers and 18 controls had a SL ratio < 1.2 and peak DCSR >105%.s-1, yielding a negative predictive value of 90%. With multivariate analysis, HCM mutation carriership was an independent determinant of reduced peak SCS and peak DCSR.ConclusionsHCM mutation carriership is an independent determinant of reduced peak SCS and peak DCSR when LV wall thickness is within normal limits, and is associated with increased LA volumes and SL ratio. Using SL ratio and peak DCSR has a high accuracy to identify carriers. However, since carriers also display structural abnormalities and focal LGE, we advocate to also evaluate morphology and presence of LGE when screening for carriers.