Time-Resolved Analysis of Coronary Vein Motion and Cross-Sectional Area

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Jonathan D. Suever, Emory University; Pierre J. Watson, Emory University; Robert L. Eisner, Emory University; Stamatios Lerakis, Emory University; Robert E. O’Donnell, Emory University; John Oshinski, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2011-10
• Publisher: Wiley
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1002%2Fjmri.22674
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Journal of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• ISSN: 1053-1807
• Volume: 34
• Issue: 4
• Start Page: 811
• End Page: 815
• Grant/Funding Information: This study was supported by National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship (Suever), American Heart Association (AHA) Grant-in-Aid 0855386E (Oshinski), and National Institutes of Health (NIH) Grant HL089160 (Oshinski).
• Keywords: Ejection fraction; Magnetic resonance coronary venograms; Cardiac resynchronization therapy; Coronary vein motion; Heart failure; Coronary sinus
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Radiology; Engineering, Biomedical

Abstract

Purpose To quantify periods of low motion and cross-sectional area changes of the coronary veins during the cardiac cycle for planning magnetic resonance coronary venograms (MRCV). Materials and Methods Images were acquired from nineteen patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) and thirteen patients scheduled for cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). The displacement and cross-sectional area of the coronary sinus was tracked and periods of low motion were defined as consecutive time points during which the position of the coronary sinus remained within a 0.67 mm diameter region. Patients were classified as systolic dominant or diastolic dominant based on the relative duration of their low motion periods. Results All CRT patients were classified as systolic dominant, and 32% of these had no separate diastolic rest period. All CAD patients with ejection fraction <35% were classified as systolic dominant, while all CAD patients with ejection fraction >35%were diastolic dominant. In 77% of all subjects, the cross-sectional area of the coronary sinus was larger in systole than in diastole. Conclusion The movement of the coronary sinus can be used to classify patients as either having a longer systolic or diastolic rest period. The classification of the CRT patients as systolic dominant suggests that MRCVs be acquired in systole for CRT planning; however, each patient’s low motion periods should be categorized to ensure the correct period is being utilized to minimize motion artifacts.