Systolic and diastolic performance in normal human subjects as measured by ultrafast computed tomography

Abstract

Ultrafast computed tomography (ultrafast-CT) is a minimally invasive imaging modality with very short acquisition time and excellent anatomic definition. It shows promise of providing precise measurement of right and left ventricular volumes, left ventricular mass, and left ventricular diastolic function with a single test. We expand on the knowledge regarding normal humans by studying ten normal volunteers in the short axis. Cardiac volumes and mass (mean ± 1 S.D.) were as follows: 1) left ventricle: end-diastolic volume index (mlm²) = 61 ± 15, end-systolic volume index (ml/m²) = 19 ± 7, stroke volume index (ml/m²) = 43 ± 9, cardiac index (liters/min/m²) = 2.7 ± .5, ejection fraction (%) = 70 ± 7, end-diastolic mass (g/m²) = 95 ± 15; 2) right ventricle: end-diastolic volume index (ml/m²) = 76 ± 19, end-systolic volume index (ml/m²) = 35 ± 13, stroke volume index (ml/m²) = 40 ± 8, cardiac index (liters/min/m²) = 2.6 ± .5, ejection fraction (%) = 55 ± 6. Stroke volume index differed by 1.6 ± 2.0 ml/m² between ventricles. Measurement of global and segmental left ventricular diastolic function revealed: 1) Peak filling rate (end-diastolic volumes/second): global = 2.29 ± .40, base = 1.78 ± .49, midventricle = 2.49 ± .57, apex = 3.13 ± .39 (P < .001, base vs. apex; P < .01, base vs. midventricle and midventricle vs. apex); 2) time to peak filling rate (msec): global = 193 ± 24, base = 192 ± 20, midventricle = 194 ± 26, apex = 190 ± 19 (P = NS between levels). Thus, the current study substantiates and expands the accuracy and utility of ultrafast-CT in providing comprehensive evaluation of systolic and diastolic function in chuman subjects at rest with a single, minimally invasive procedure.