Diffusion MR tractography of the heart

J Cardiovasc Magn Reson. 2009 Nov 13;11(1):47. doi: 10.1186/1532-429X-11-47.

Abstract

Histological studies have shown that the myocardium consists of an array of crossing helical fiber tracts. Changes in myocardial fiber architecture occur in ischemic heart disease and heart failure, and can be imaged non-destructively with diffusion-encoded MR. Several diffusion-encoding schemes have been developed, ranging from scalar measurements of mean diffusivity to a 6-dimensional imaging technique known as diffusion spectrum imaging or DSI. The properties of DSI make it particularly suited to the generation of 3-dimensional tractograms of myofiber architecture. In this article we review the physical basis of diffusion-tractography in the myocardium and the attributes of the available techniques, placing particular emphasis on DSI. The application of DSI in ischemic heart disease is reviewed, and the requisites for widespread clinical translation of diffusion MR tractography in the heart are discussed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diffusion Tensor Imaging* / instrumentation
  • Equipment Design
  • Humans
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted
  • Myocardial Ischemia / pathology*
  • Myocardium / pathology*
  • Predictive Value of Tests