Global and regional cardiac function

Abstract

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance is currently the most accurate and reproducible method for the measurement of biventricular global and regional systolic function, as well as diastolic and atrial function. Regional wall motion can be visually evaluated and quantified with tissue tagging or feature tracking analysis techniques. Wall motion analysis is usually performed at rest but can also be done with low-dose and high-dose dobutamine. Segmental strain is best measured with tissue tagging or displacement-encoded phase contrast imaging. Current analysis software enables the measurement of ventricular volumes throughout the cardiac cycle, and assessment of left and right ventricular diastolic function can be done by evaluating the time–flow curve, derived from the volume–time curve obtained in the volumetric analysis. Although contrast between flowing blood and the myocardium in cardiac cine images is typically excellent, the precise placement of the contours is reader-dependent and training is highly recommended due to the subjective nature of contour placement.