TITLE:
The assessment of atrial function by velocity-encoded magnetic resonance imaging
AUTHORS:
Charles C. Vu, John F. Heitner, Igor Klem, Peter J. Cawley, Anna Lisa C. Crowley, Manesh R. Patel, Jonathan W. Weinsaft, Michele A. Parker, Michael Elliott, Robert M. Judd, Raymond J. Kim, Joseph C. Greenfield Jr.
KEYWORDS:
Atrial Function; Velocity-Encoded; Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance
JOURNAL NAME:
World Journal of Cardiovascular Diseases,
Vol.3 No.2A,
April
30,
2013
ABSTRACT:
Introduction: The purpose of this study was to
assess velocity-encoded cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (Ve-CMR) in a
population of patients referred for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR),
to determine the variability of atrial function, and to identify clinical
parameters associated with left atrial function. Methods: This is a prospective
study evaluating patients who were referred to our CMR center for a clinical
CMR. Left atrial function was obtained via Ve-CMR thru-plane images across the
mitral valve after acquiring 2 perpendicular in-plane images as “scouts”. The
atrial function and mitral inflow were quantified by computer analysis (Argus,
Siemens). Atrial function was defined as atrial contraction (A-wave) volume
divided by total inflow volume. Left atrial volumes were calculated via computer
analysis. Mitral regurgitation and left ventricular
ejection fractions were assessed visually. Results: Thirty-nine patients,
with mean age 56 +/- 10 years, were enrolled. The mean left atrial function was
22.9% +/-14.5%; the range in left atrial function was 0% - 57%. There was a
significant positive correlation between atrial function and increased left
ventricular ejection fraction (r = 0.44, P