Keywords: Myocardium, Cardiovascular, Connective tissue disease, Serum uric acid, Hypouricemia, Cardiovascular resonance magnetic imaging, Feature tracking, Right atrial strain.

Motivation: To explore a common and low-cost indicator in patients with connective tissue disease (CTD) to determine the subclinical right cardiac chamber remodeling

Goal(s): Investigated the association of Serum uric acid (SUA) with right cardiac chamber remodeling assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance feature-tracking (CMR-FT) in CTD patients. 

Approach: All individuals underwent CMR examinations and their SUA levels were recorded. CMR-FT was used to evaluate the right atrial and ventricular strain parameters. 

Results: CTD patients had significantly right cardiac chamber remodeling and elevated SUA levels compared with controls. SUA may be a potential risk factor of right cardiac chamber remodeling in CTD patients.

Impact: Right heart remodeling is widespread in CTD patients. SUA is considered a potential independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and elevated SUA levels are often observed in CTD patients. 

Keywords: Myocardium, Myocardium

Motivation: Early detection of cardiac involvement and continuous monitoring of disease progression could benefit patients with light-chain amyloidosis. The application of left ventricular strain by Cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking imaging has emerged as an excellent noninvasive imaging modality.

Goal(s): This study is dedicated to exploring the prognostic implications of myocardial strain in distinct myocardial segments.

Approach: The assessment of both global and segmental myocardial strain was conducted through the application of steady-state free precession (SSFP) cine sequences.

Results: Global radial strain (RS_global), RS in the basal lateral segment (RS_bas-lateral) and B-type natriuretic peptides (BNP) are independently associated with all-cause mortality.

Impact: Quantification of LV strain could be employed to monitor the progression of amyloid light-chain (AL) amyloidosis. Global radial strain and radial strain in the basal lateral segment may prove valuable for risk stratification in patients with AL amyloidosis.

Keywords: Heart Failure, Heart

Motivation: The challenge of obtaining high-quality CMR cine images in patients with heart failure (HF) due to difficulties in breath-holding and arrhythmia.

Goal(s): Explore the feasibility of utilizing compressed sensing cardiac cine with varying levels of acceleration to acquire comparable cine images in HF patients.

Approach: We compare cardiac function, strain parameters, and image quality between bSSFP and CS images in both HF patients and healthy participants, utilizing MRI systems from different vendors.

Results: Our findings demonstrate a high level of consistency in most cardiac function and strain parameters between the two  sequences. CS cardiac cine images exhibit comparable quality to bSSFP images.

Impact: This study offers prospective validation for the use of CS cardiac cine sequences in HF patients, addressing issues related to lengthy scanning durations and artifacts. It expands the eligible population for CMR scanning while optimizing image quality.

Keywords: Myocardium, Cardiovascular

Motivation: The association of preoperative LA strain assessed by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR)-FT with the late outcome of HOCM patients after myectomy remains unknown.

Goal(s): To evaluate the prognostic value of preoperative LA strain in HOCM following myectomy.

Approach: In this retrospective, single-center study, 802 adult patients with HOCM after myectomy were included, who underwent preoperative CMR with clinical outcome follow-up.

Results: LA reservoir strain ≤ 22.9% was independently associated with postoperative adverse outcomes. Incorporating LA reservoir strain, the performance of the HCM Risk-SCD score improved for SCD prediction (C-statistic: from 0.62 to 0.69; log-likelihood: from -110.31 to -108.27, P=.04).

Impact: HOCM patients with reduced preoperative LA reservoir strain tend to have poor postoperative outcomes, so reinforced follow-ups may be required in those patients.

Keywords: Myocardium, Cardiomyopathy, Myocardial Strain; Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy(HCM); Mechanical function

Motivation: To identify potential imaging markers for early detection of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) .

Goal(s): To evaluate mechanical dysfunction in HCM mice with different genotypes representing different disease stages.

Approach: Myocardial circumferential strain, radial strain, longitudinal strain, and torsion were assessed using two distinct strain assessment methods: feature tracking and tagging MRI.

Results: The results showed a significant reduction in myocardial strain in severe HCM, but an intriguing trend of slight elevation was observed before a decline in strain occurred in mild HCM, highlighting the potential value of these markers in the early detection of HCM.

Impact: Myocardial contractile function is significantly reduced in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). However, our study suggests the presence of a compensatory phase during disease progression. Early identification of myocardial contraction dysfunction is vital for prompt detection and treatment, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Keywords: Myocardium, Cardiovascular

Motivation: CMR left ventricular strain analysis is a crucial tool for assessing myocardial status, capable of identifying and evaluating regional myocardial dysfunction caused by coronary artery disease.

Goal(s): This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of cellular therapy in patients with chronic ischemic heart disease using left ventricular strain indices. 

Approach: 38 patients scheduled for coronary artery bypass grafting were randomly assigned to receive cellular therapy or serve as controls, followed by CMR imaging and strain analysis of various left ventricular views.

Results: Preliminary results indicate improvements in some CMR-derived strain indices in the cellular therapy group post-treatment, especially notable at 6 months post-operation.

Impact: This study provides new insights into the assessment of cellular therapy efficacy using CMR left ventricular strain indices, offering a more profound understanding and evaluation method for cellular therapy in patients with chronic ischemic heart disease.

Keywords: Myocardium, Cardiomyopathy, Dilated cardiomyopathy, Myocardial strain, Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging

Motivation: Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) poses a significant clinical challenge due to its high mortality and limited cognitive understanding. Our motivation is rooted in enhancing diagnostic precision, unraveling novel insights into DCM pathology, and paving the way for targeted therapeutic interventions.

Goal(s): This study aims to unravel the intricate myocardial strain patterns in DCM patients through cardiac MRI techniques.

Approach: In this study, feature tracking method were used to evaluate myocardial strain.

Results: There is no significant difference in global left ventricular strain, variations emerge in segmental myocardial strain between genetic and secondary DCM patients. The myocardial strain rate exhibits disparities both globally and segmentally. 

Impact: This study unveils nuanced myocardial strain disparities in DCM, which could be utilized to illuminate diagnostic precision. The insights catalyze targeted therapeutic strategies, potentially revolutionizing care for DCM patients.

Keywords: Atherosclerosis, Cardiovascular, ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction; Left ventricular reverse remodeling; Cardiac magnetic resonance; Left atrial strain.

Motivation: Few studies have assessed the association of left atrial (LA) strain with left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) after ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

Goal(s): To investigate the potential utility of LA strain by using cardiac magnetic resonance feature-tracking (CMR-FT) to predict LVRR following STEMI.

Approach: The prospective study analyzed patients with a first STEMI and two CMR scans at 5 days and 4 months, and quantified LA strain by CMR-FT using cine images.

Results: LA reservoir and conduit strain, together with infarct size were independent predictors of LVRR.

Impact: The demonstrated predictive value of LA strain for the occurrence of LVRR after STEMI enables better assessment for the improvement of myocardial injury and guidance for the treatment in STEMI patients.

Keywords: Myocardium, High-Field MRI, Cardiac function, Strain

Motivation: To investigate whether a single set of shim values can provide reliable image quality for cardiac MRI at 7T.

Goal(s): To establish an efficient workflow for cardiac cine imaging at 7T.

Approach: Short-axis and long-axis views were acquired in five subjects with different spatial resolution at 3T and 7T. Volumetric parameters and peak global longitudinal and circumferential strain were assessed for left and right ventricle.

Results: No significant differences of volume parameters, field strength or spatial resolution were found. A single B1 shim set for the whole examination providing reliable image quality and quantification results constitute an essential step towards clinical cardiac imaging.

Impact: An efficient workflow and reliable image quality of cine images for the assessment of cardiac volumes and strain at 7 Tesla could be realized with results in close agreement to 3T – an essential step towards clinical routine cardiac examinations.

Keywords: Myocardium, Cardiomyopathy, Cardiac magnetic resonance, Left ventricular reverse remodeling, Left atrial strain

Motivation: The structure and function of left atrial (LA) have shown significant value in prognostic and risk stratification in dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients. But no previous studies had reported its value for predicting left ventricular reverse remodeling (LVRR) in DCM.

Goal(s): This study aimed to explore whether fast long-axis strain (FLAS) of LA can provide predictive value. 

Approach: LA strain and other cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) parameters were measured by CVI (version 5.13.7) in 96 patients. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS.

Results: Both LACS and LGE were independent predictors of LVRR. The combination of LACS and LGE provided better prediction performance.

Impact: For the first time, our study demonstrated the predictive value of LA strain for LVRR. It would be beneficial for DCM patients who were contradictive to contrast agencies.

Keywords: Myocardium, Cardiomyopathy

Motivation: Early prediction of LVr is significant for the selection of clinical treatment to improve the prognosis of STEMI patients.

Goal(s): To explore whether strain markers, as derived by CMR feature tracking (CMR-FT) at the early onset of STEMI may improve the predictive certainty of LVr.

Approach: 120 patients with a first reperfused STEMI were investigated prospectively within 7 days after PCI. Both LA and LV strain and strain rate were calculated using CMR-FT.

Results: The reduction of LV-GLS can predict LVr independent of T2* value, and the reduction of LA-ℇe remain an independent predictor of LVr after adjusting LV-GLS and T2* value.

Impact: In the present study, the reduction of LA conduit strain derived by CMR-FT at the early onset of STEMI increases the likelihood of LVr independent of T2* value and LV-GLS.

Keywords: Myocardium, Cardiovascular

Motivation: Hyperuricemia and abnormal ω-6/ω-3 values contribute to cardiac damage, but the specific mechanisms remain unclear.

Goal(s): To explore the effects of uric acid and ω-6/ω-3 values on left heart function using cardiac magnetic resonance feature tracking.

Approach: We utilized the TrueFISP cine sequence, CVI42 software, and univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses to identify relationships of uric acid and ω-6/ω-3 values with left heart function.

Results:  High ω6/ω3 values may exacerbate left ventricular dysfunction in patients with hyperuricemia.

Impact: Our findings concerning the effects of uric acid and ω-6/ω-3 values on left heart function will help to improve the clinical management and treatment of patients with hyperuricemia.

Keywords: Heart Failure, Myocardium, cardiac MRI; exertional heat illness; myocardial strain; return-to-play

Motivation: More attention has been paid to the diagnosis and treatment of patients with heatstroke, while little research has been done on its prognosis. 

Goal(s): The main hypothesis is that left ventricle strain parameters assessed by CMR feature tracking can predict long-term heart symptoms in exertional heatstroke patients.

Approach: Patients with exertional heatstroke underwent serologic cardiac enzyme levels and CMR at baseline and follow-up to assess the relationship between left ventricular strain parameters and recovery training.

Results: The 2D-global longitudinal strain provided incremental prognostic value over traditional outcome predictors (areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve comparing models, 0.788 vs 0.883; P = 0.023).

Impact: Our findings suggest that ongoing reduction in left ventricle strain may explain the lingering cardiac symptoms in patients with previous heat illness.  It will help identify individuals at risk, improve follow-up, and provide assistance for return-to-play and reducing future risks.

Keywords: Myocardium, Cardiovascular

Motivation: People living with HIV are at increased risk of cardiovascular disease compared with healthy people.

Goal(s): To explore the extent of diastolic atrial and left ventricular dysfunction in PLWH by CMR in correlation with clinical markers of disease activity.

Approach: 101 PLWH and 62 healthy volunteers were recruited for this study in China. Both left atrial (LA) and LV strain and strain rate were calculated using CMR feature tracking.

Results: PLWH had a larger LAVImax, LAVImin and LAVIpre-a as compared to healthy volunteers. The LA
reservoir, conduit and booster pump function were all impaired in PLWH.

Impact: The prevalence of diastolic dysfunction as well as asymptomatic systolicabnormalities is observed in HIV patients.

Keywords: fMRI Analysis, Myocardium, acute myocarditis;feature tracking; LA strain

Motivation: The prognostic significance of left atrial strain (LA) in acute myocarditis (AM) remains unknown. 

Goal(s): This study aimed to conduct a quantitative evaluation of the LA function in AM patients and explore whether LA strain parameters can predict the outcomes of AM patients.

Approach: LA strain was assessed by using cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) in this study.

Results: LA strain parameters were significantly impaired in AM patients with major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) and reservoir LA longitudinal strain was found to be an independent predictor of MACEs, with a hazard ratio per 1% increase of 0.954 (P<0.05).

Impact: LA reservoir strain may serve as a useful tool to predict the adverse prognosis of AM and have the potential to guide the distant therapy of patients with acute myocarditis.

Keywords: Myocardium, Cardiovascular

Motivation: To explore the application value of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) feature tracking technique in patients on maintenance hemodialysis(MHD).

Goal(s): To explore the application value of CMR feature tracking technique in patients on MHD.

Approach: CMR examination was performed in both groups, and the left ventricular myocardial strain values were obtained by FT-CMR to explore the differences in myocardial deformation between the two groups.

Results: With the increase of dialysis age, GCS, GRS and GLS were significantly lower than that in the low dialysis age group (-24.97±8.63 vs. -19.11±6.18, P=0.017; 23.31±9.96 vs. 33.23±15.88, P=0.022; -18.26±3.19 vs. -22.96±6.72, P=0.008).

Impact: In those with preserved ejection fraction, myocardial strain parameters are reduced, suggesting that the use of FT-CMR technique is helpful for early diagnosis of myocardial deformation injury in MHD patients.