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Abstract Cine MRI is an established method for assessment of global and regional left ventricular function. An advantage over other techniques is that myocardial thickness, thickening and wall motion can be assessed. These parameters are frequently reported, qualitatively, and we have therefore developed a quantitative method, we have established normal values, and tested the method in patients with myocardial infarction. We studied 20 patients (mean age 52, range 34 to 73, 15 male) six months after myocardial arction and 20 normal volunteers (mean age 40, range 28 to 59, 19 males) using cine MRI in rtical and horizontal long axis and in basal and apical short axis planes. Endocardial and epicardial boundaries were defined manually in end diastolic and end systolic frames and ircumferential profiles of diastolic myocardial thickness, systolic wall thickening, and wall motion were generated in each plane. Categories for each variable were assigned according to the number of standard deviations from the mean of the normal group in each of 9 segments. The results were compared with subjective assessment. 180 segments were assessed. Agreement of the two methods for wall motion (hyper-, normal, hypo-, a-, dys-kinetic) was good, differing by one category or less in 166 segments (92%, lew = 0.7). Agreement for wall thickening and thickness (normal or abnormal) was moderate (72%,Kw = 0.43 and 70%, Kw = 0.41 respectively). We have therefore developed an objective method of assessing three aspects of regional, myocardial function which agrees well with subjective reporting. It is expected to improve reproducibility and accuracy and more widespread experience of its use in patients with reversible ischaemia and other disorders is warranted. |