Quantification of Myocardial Deformation Applying CMR-Feature-Tracking—All About the Left Ventricle?

Abstract

Purpose of Review Cardiac magnetic resonance-feature-tracking (CMR-FT)-based deformation analyses are key tools of cardiovascular imaging and applications in heart failure (HF) diagnostics are expanding. In this review, we outline the current range of application with diagnostic and prognostic implications and provide perspectives on future trends of this technique. Recent Findings By applying CMR-FT in different cardiovascular diseases, increasing evidence proves CMR-FT-derived parameters as powerful diagnostic and prognostic imaging biomarkers within the HF continuum partly outperforming traditional clinical values like left ventricular ejection fraction. Importantly, HF diagnostics and deformation analyses by CMR-FT are feasible far beyond sole left ventricular performance evaluation underlining the holistic nature and accuracy of this imaging approach. Summary As an established and continuously evolving technique with strong prognostic implications, CMR-FT deformation analyses enable comprehensive cardiac performance quantification of all cardiac chambers.

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Feature Tracking for Quantifying Left Ventricle Deformation in Type 2 Diabetic Patients

“…These measurements provide objective evaluations of subclinical RV dysfunction before clinically obvious RVEF reductions. The CMR-FT method has recently been identified as a novel method of assessing the quantitative function of the biventricular myocardium [12,21]. This technology is based on tissue voxel motion-tracking technology derived from CMR cine imaging.…”

“…Patients with type 2 diabetes have been subjected to echocardiographic studies to determine how much strain they are under. With cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT), a novel method has been developed for quantifying left and right ventricular myocardial deformation using high-resolution images [10][11][12]. Further, studies have shown that speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) is a reliable, reproducible, and accurate method of measuring LV deformations in a wide range of clinical applications.…”

Diagnostic accuracy of left atrial function and strain for differentiating between acute and chronic myocardial infarction

“…Nayyar, D [ 27 ] et al described a compensatory increase in atrial booster pump function in the presence of impaired conduit function after STEMI. LA strain reflects atrial compliance and atrial contractility and relaxation, modulated by the descent of the LV base during systole [ 28 , 29 ]. Therefore, as an early parameter, LA strain may be more helpful in detecting diastolic alterations before LA enlargement.…”

Diagnostic accuracy of Left atrial function and strain for differentiating between acute and chronic myocardial infarction

“…When the LV base descends during systole, the LA strain re ects atrial compliance and, to a lesser extent, atrial contractility and relaxation. [44,45] . It is clear that LA strain has a more clinical application.…”