OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was the evaluation of left ventricular (LV) segmental 3D velocities in patients with hypertensive heart disease using magnetic resonance (MR) tissue phase mapping (TPM).

METHODS

LV radial, long-axis and rotational myocardial velocities were assessed by TPM in patients with LV hypertrophy and preserved EF (n = 18, age = 53 ± 12 years) and volunteers (n = 20, age = 51 ± 4 years). Systolic and diastolic peak and time-to-peak velocities were mapped onto a 16-segment LV model. 3D myocardial motion was displayed on an extended visualisation model. Correlation coefficients were calculated to investigate differences in regional dynamics.

RESULTS

Patients revealed diastolic dysfunction as expressed by decreased peak long-axis velocities in all (except apical) segments (basal, P ≤ 0.01; two midventricular segments, P = 0.02, P = 0.03). During systole, hypertrophy was associated with heterogeneous behaviour for long-axis velocities including an increase in anteroseptal apical and midventricular regions (P = 0.001), a reduction in mid-inferior segments (P = 0.03) and enhanced septal velocities (P < 0.05). Segmental correlation analysis revealed altered dynamics of LV base rotation and increased dyssynchrony of lateral long-axis motion.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with hypertensive heart disease demonstrated alterations in systolic long-axis motion, basal rotation and dyssynchrony. Longitudinal studies are needed to investigate the value of regional wall motion abnormalities regarding disease progression and outcome.