John-Peder Escobar Kvitting

Transit of Blood Flow Through the Human Left Ventricle Mapped by Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance

BACKGROUND The transit of blood through the beating heart is a basic aspect of cardiovascular physiology which remains incompletely studied. Quantification of the components of multidirectional flow in the normal left ventricle (LV) is lacking, making it difficult to put the changes observed with LV dysfunction and cardiac surgery into context. METHODS Three dimensional, three directional, time resolved magnetic resonance phase-contrast velocity mapping was performed at 1.5 Tesla in 17 normal subjects, 6 female, aged 44+/-14 years (mean+/-SD). We visualized and measured the relative volumes of LV flow components and the diastolic changes in inflowing kinetic energy (KE). Of total diastolic inflow volume, 44+/-11% followed a direct, albeit curved route to systolic ejection (videos 1 and 2), in contrast to 11% in a subject with mildly dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), who was included for preliminary comparison (video 3). In normals, 16+/-8% of the KE of inflow was conserved to the end of diastole, compared with 5% in the DCM patient. Blood following the direct route lost or transferred less of its KE during diastole than blood that was retained until the next beat (1.6+/-1.0 millijoules vs 8.2+/-1.9 millijoules, p<0.05); whereas, in the DCM patient, the reduction in KE of retained inflow was 18-fold greater than that of the blood tracing the direct route. CONCLUSION Multidimensional flow mapping can measure the paths, compartmentalization and kinetic energy changes of blood flowing into the LV, demonstrating differences of KE loss between compartments, and potentially between the flows in normal and dilated left ventricles.

How Accurate Is Visual Assessment of Synchronicity in Myocardial Motion? An In Vitro Study with Computer-Simulated Regional Delay in Myocardial Motion: Clinical Implications for Rest and Stress Echocardiography Studies ☆ ☆☆ ★

Asynchronicity in echocardiographic images is normally assessed visually. No prior quantitative studies have determined the limitations of this approach. To quantify visual recognition of myocardial asynchronicity in echocardiographic images, computer-simulated delay phantom loops were generated from a 3.3 MHz digital image data from a normal left ventricular short-axis heart cycle acquired at 55 frames per second. Six expert observers visually assessed 30 abnormal and 3 normal loops with differing computer-induced delay patterns on 3 occasions and in this optimally simulated environment could recognize only single delays of 89 ms or more. This was improved to 71 ms or more by use of side-by-side (normal versus abnormal) comparative review. Thus visual assessment of clinically important regional delay in rest or stress echo images is limited.

Assessment of Fluctuating Velocities in Disturbed Cardiovascular Blood Flow: In Vivo Feasibility of Generalized Phase-Contrast MRI

To evaluate the feasibility of generalized phase‐contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC‐MRI) for the noninvasive assessment of fluctuating velocities in cardiovascular blood flow.

Quantification of intravoxel velocity standard deviation and turbulence intensity by generalizing phase-contrast MRI

Turbulent flow, characterized by velocity fluctuations, is a contributing factor to the pathogenesis of several cardiovascular diseases. A clinical noninvasive tool for assessing turbulence is lacking, however. It is well known that the occurrence of multiple spin velocities within a voxel during the influence of a magnetic gradient moment causes signal loss in phase‐contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC‐MRI). In this paper a mathematical derivation of an expression for computing the standard deviation (SD) of the blood flow velocity distribution within a voxel is presented. The SD is obtained from the magnitude of PC‐MRI signals acquired with different first gradient moments. By exploiting the relation between the SD and turbulence intensity (TI), this method allows for quantitative studies of turbulence. For validation, the TI in an in vitro flow phantom was quantified, and the results compared favorably with previously published laser Doppler anemometry (LDA) results. This method has the potential to become an important tool for the noninvasive assessment of turbulence in the arterial tree. Magn Reson Med, 2006.

Mitral Valve Annuloplasty A Quantitative Clinical and Mechanical Comparison of Different Annuloplasty Devices

Mitral valve annuloplasty is a common surgical technique used in the repair of a leaking valve by implanting an annuloplasty device. To enhance repair durability, these devices are designed to increase leaflet coaptation, while preserving the native annular shape and motion; however, the precise impact of device implantation on annular deformation, strain, and curvature is unknown. In this article, we quantify how three frequently used devices significantly impair native annular dynamics. In controlled in vivo experiments, we surgically implanted 11 flexible-incomplete, 11 semi-rigid-complete, and 12 rigid-complete devices around the mitral annuli of 34 sheep, each tagged with 16 equally spaced tantalum markers. We recorded four-dimensional marker coordinates using biplane videofluoroscopy, first with device and then without, which were used to create mathematical models using piecewise cubic splines. Clinical metrics (characteristic anatomical distances) revealed significant global reduction in annular dynamics upon device implantation. Mechanical metrics (strain and curvature fields) explained this reduction via a local loss of anterior dilation and posterior contraction. Overall, all three devices unfavorably caused reduction in annular dynamics. The flexible-incomplete device, however, preserved native annular dynamics to a larger extent than the complete devices. Heterogeneous strain and curvature profiles suggest the need for heterogeneous support, which may spawn more rational design of annuloplasty devices using design concepts of functionally graded materials.

In-vivo dynamic strains of the ovine anterior mitral valve leaflet

Understanding the mechanics of the mitral valve is crucial in terms of designing and evaluating medical devices and techniques for mitral valve repair. In the current study we characterize the in vivo strains of the anterior mitral valve leaflet. On cardiopulmonary bypass, we sew miniature markers onto the leaflets of 57 sheep. During the cardiac cycle, the coordinates of these markers are recorded via biplane fluoroscopy. From the resulting four-dimensional data sets, we calculate areal, maximum principal, circumferential, and radial leaflet strains and display their profiles on the averaged leaflet geometry. Average peak areal strains are 13.8±6.3%, maximum principal strains are 13.0±4.7%, circumferential strains are 5.0±2.7%, and radial strains are 7.8±4.3%. Maximum principal strains are largest in the belly region, where they are aligned with the circumferential direction during diastole switching into the radial direction during systole. Circumferential strains are concentrated at the distal portion of the belly region close to the free edge of the leaflet, while radial strains are highest in the center of the leaflet, stretching from the posterior to the anterior commissure. In summary, leaflet strains display significant temporal, regional, and directional variations with largest values inside the belly region and toward the free edge. Characterizing strain distribution profiles might be of particular clinical significance when optimizing mitral valve repair techniques in terms of forces on suture lines and on medical devices.

Characterization of mitral valve annular dynamics in the beating heart

The objective of this study is to establish a mathematical characterization of the mitral valve annulus that allows a precise qualitative and quantitative assessment of annular dynamics in the beating heart. We define annular geometry through 16 miniature markers sewn onto the annuli of 55 sheep. Using biplane videofluoroscopy, we record marker coordinates in vivo. By approximating these 16 marker coordinates through piecewise cubic splines, we generate a smooth mathematical representation of the 55 mitral annuli. We time-align these 55 annulus representations with respect to characteristic hemodynamic time points to generate an averaged baseline annulus representation. To characterize annular physiology, we extract classical clinical metrics of annular form and function throughout the cardiac cycle. To characterize annular dynamics, we calculate displacements, strains, and curvature from the discrete mathematical representations. To illustrate potential future applications of this approach, we create rapid prototypes of the averaged mitral annulus at characteristic hemodynamic time points. In summary, this study introduces a novel mathematical model that allows us to identify temporal, regional, and inter-subject variations of clinical and mechanical metrics that characterize mitral annular form and function. Ultimately, this model can serve as a valuable tool to optimize both surgical and interventional approaches that aim at restoring mitral valve competence.

Rigid, Complete Annuloplasty Rings Increase Anterior Mitral Leaflet Strains in the Normal Beating Ovine Heart

Background— Annuloplasty ring or band implantation during surgical mitral valve repair perturbs mitral annular dimensions, dynamics, and shape, which have been associated with changes in anterior mitral leaflet (AML) strain patterns and suboptimal long-term repair durability. We hypothesized that rigid rings with nonphysiological three-dimensional shapes, but not saddle-shaped rigid rings or flexible bands, increase AML strains. Methods and Results— Sheep had 23 radiopaque markers inserted: 7 along the anterior mitral annulus and 16 equally spaced on the AML. True-sized Cosgrove-Edwards flexible, partial band (n=12), rigid, complete St Jude Medical rigid saddle-shaped (n=12), Carpentier-Edwards Physio (n=12), Edwards IMR ETlogix (n=11), and Edwards GeoForm (n=12) annuloplasty rings were implanted in a releasable fashion. Under acute open-chest conditions, 4-dimensional marker coordinates were obtained using biplane videofluoroscopy along with hemodynamic parameters with the ring inserted and after release. Marker coordinates were triangulated, and the largest maximum principal AML strains were determined during isovolumetric relaxation. No relevant changes in hemodynamics occurred. Compared with the respective control state, strains increased significantly with rigid saddle-shaped annuloplasty ring, Carpentier-Edwards Physio, Edwards IMR ETlogix, and Edwards GeoForm (0.14±0.05 versus 0.16±0.05, P=0.024, 0.15±0.03 versus 0.18±0.04, P=0.020, 0.11±0.05 versus 0.14±0.05, P=0.042, and 0.13±0.05 versus 0.16±0.05, P=0.009), but not with Cosgrove-Edwards band (0.15±0.05 versus 0.15±0.04, P=0.973). Conclusions— Regardless of three-dimensional shape, rigid, complete annuloplasty rings, but not a flexible, partial band, increased AML strains in the normal beating ovine heart. Clinical studies are needed to determine whether annuloplasty rings affect AML strains in patients, and, if so, whether ring-induced perturbations in leaflet strain states are linked to repair failure.

Three-directional myocardial motion assessed using 3D phase contrast MRI

Regional myocardial function is a complex entity consisting of motion in three dimensions (3D). Besides magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), no other noninvasive technique can give a true 3D description of cardiac motion. Using a time-resolved 3D phase contrast technique, three-dimensional image volumes containing myocardial velocity data in six normal volunteers were acquired. Coordinates and velocity information were extracted from nine points placed in different myocardial segments in the left ventricle (LV), and decomposed into longitudinal (V(L)), radial (V(R)), and circumferential (V(C)) velocity components. Our findings confirm a longitudinal apex-to-base gradient for the LV, with only a small motion of the apex. The mean velocity for V(L) for all the basal segments was higher compared to the midsegments during systole [3.5+/-1.2 vs. 2.5+/-1.7 cm/s (p<0.01)], early filling [-6.9+/-1.8 vs. -4.9+/-1.8 cm/s (p<0.001)], and during atrial contraction [-2.2+/-1.4 vs. -1.6+/-1.3 cm/s (p<0.05)]. A similar pattern was observed when comparing velocities from the midsegments to the apex. Radial velocity was higher during early filling in the midportion of the lateral [-4.9+/-2.7 vs. -3.2+/-1.6 cm/s (p<0.05)] wall compared to the basal segments, no difference was observed for the septal [-2.0+/-1.5 vs. -0.3+/-2.5 cm/s (p=0.15)], anterior [-5.8+/-3.3 vs. -4.0+/-1.7 cm/s (p=0.17)], and posterior [-2.3+/-2.1 vs. -2.5+/-1.0 cm/s (p=0.78)] walls. When observing the myocardial velocity in a single point and visualizing the movement of the main direction of the velocities in this point as vectors in velocity vector plots like planes, it is clear that myocardial movement is by no means one dimensional. In conclusion, our time-resolved 3D, phase contrast MRI technique makes it feasible to extract myocardial velocities from anywhere in the myocardium, including all three velocity components without the need for positioning any slices at the time of acquisition.

Anatomic M-Mode Echocardiography: A New Approach to Assess Regional Myocardial Function—A Comparative In Vivo and In Vitro Study of Both Fundamental and Second Harmonic Imaging Modes

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the accuracy of anatomic M-mode echocardiography (AMM). METHODS Eight phantoms were rotated on a device at different insonation depths (IDs) in a water beaker. They were insonated with different transducer frequencies in fundamental imaging (FI) and second harmonic imaging (SHI), and the diameters were assessed with conventional M-mode echocardiography (CMM) and AMM with the applied angle correction (AC) after rotation. In addition, left ventricular wall dimensions were measured with CMM and AMM in FI and SHI in 10 volunteers. RESULTS AC had the greatest effect on the measurement error in AMM followed by ID (AC: R2 = 0. 295, ID: R2 = 0.268; P <.0001). SHI improved the accuracy, and a difference no longer existed between CMM and AMM with an AC up to 60 degrees. In vivo the limit of agreement between AMM and CMM was -1.7 to +1.8 mm in SHI. CONCLUSION Within its limitations (AC < 60 degrees; ID < 20 cm), AMM could be a robust tool in clinical practice.