Choukri Mekkaoui1,2, Marcel Jackowski3,
Roberto Martuzzi1, Donald Dione1, Albert Sinusas1
1Yale University School of Medicine,
New Haven, CT, United States; 2Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA,
United States; 3University of So Paulo
Supertoroids
are a novel DT-MRI representation that provides indices of diffusivity
(toroidal volume:TV) and anisotropy (toroidal curvature:TC). The purpose of
this study is to establish the normal myofiber structure of the left
ventricle (LV) using toroid-based indices and compare to traditional
diffusion indices in normal porcine hearts. These new indices showed that the
LV macrostructure was heterogeneous for both diffusivity and anisotropy
between segments (Septum, RV/LV junction, and Free Wall) and within levels
(basal, mid-ventricular, and apical). TV and TC demonstrate that diffusivity
and anisotropy measures are complimentary, which may enhance the
understanding of LV macrostructure in the normal heart.