Evaluation of left ventricular hypertrophy by magnetic resonance imaging.

Abstract

Left ventricular hypertrophy, manifested as an increase in left ventricular mass, is commonly seen as a response to heart disease of various etiologies. Regression of hypertrophy may serve as a gauge to the efficacy of treatment. Although many methods are available for determination of mass, most of these either visualize the heart in limited numbers of planes and therefore require that assumptions about left ventricular shape be made, or are dependent on homogeneous myocardial perfusion. These assumptions may be invalid in disease status. Magnetic resonance imaging allows high-resolution visualization of the entire heart, and therefore, accurate measurement of left ventricular mass, in a fashion that does not depend on shape or perfusion. This is the method of choice for mass determination in clinical investigations and for serial evaluation of selected patients.