Three-dimensional analysis of interventricular septal curvature from cardiac magnetic resonance images for the evaluation of patients with pulmonary hypertension

Although abnormal septal motion is a well-known sign of increased pulmonary arterial pressures, it is not routinely used to quantify the severity of pulmonary hypertension (PH). This determination relies on invasive measurements or Doppler echocardiographic estimation of right ventricular (RV) pressures, which is not always feasible or accurate in patients with PH. We hypothesized that dynamic 3D analysis of septal curvature from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) images may reveal differences between patients with different degrees of PH. Forty-four patients (14 controls; 30 PH patients who underwent right heart catheterization) were studied using CMR and echocardiography. CMR imaging was performed using Philips 1.5T scanner with a phased-array cardiac coil, in a retrospectively gated steady-state free precession cine mode at 30 frames per cardiac cycle. Patients were divided into 3 subgroups according to pulmonary arterial pressure. CMR images were used to reconstruct dynamic 3D left ventricular endocardial surfaces, which were analyzed to calculate septal curvature throughout the cardiac cycle. 3D curvature analysis was feasible in 88% patients. Septal curvature showed different temporal patterns in different groups. Curvature values progressively decreased with increasing severity of PH, and correlated well with invasive pressures (r-values 0.78–0.79), pulmonary vascular resistance (r = 0.83) and Doppler-derived RV peak-systolic pressure (r = 0.75). 3D analysis of septal curvature from CMR images may become a useful component in the CMR examination in patients with known or suspected PH.