Regional right ventricular function and timing of contraction in healthy volunteers evaluated by strain-encoded MRI

Purpose: To prospectively determine the feasibility and accuracy of strain-encoded (SENC) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for the characterization of the right ventricular free wall (RVFW) strain and timing of contraction at 3.0 Tesla (3T) MRI. Materials and Methods: In 12 healthy volunteers the RVFW was divided into three segments (anterior, lateral, and inferior) in each of three short-axis (SA) slices (apical, mid, and basal) and into three segments (apical, mid, and basal) in a four-chamber view. The study was repeated on a different day and interobserver and interstudy agreements were evaluated. Results: Maximal systolic longitudinal strain values were highest at the apex and base, with a pronounced decrease in the medial segments (apex: -19.1% ± 1.4; mid: -17.4% ± 2; base: -19.4% ± 2.4, P < 0.001), and maximal systolic circumferential strain showed the highest values at the apex (apex: -18.1% ± 1.7; mid: -17.6% ± 1.2; base: -16.6% ± 0.9, P < 0.001). Peak systolic longitudinal and circumferential shortening occurred earliest at the apex compared to the mid-ventricle and base. Excellent interobserver and interstudy correlation and agreement were observed. Conclusion: The use of SENC MRI for the assessment of normal RV contraction pattern is feasible and accurate in 3T MRI.