Analysis of Segmental Myocardial Performance in Patients after Heart Transplantation

Daniela Foell¹, Tobias Wengenmayer¹, Bernd Andre Jung², Elfriede Schilli¹, Anna Lena Stroh¹, Christoph Bode¹, Jrgen Hennig², Michael Markl²

Regional left ventricular motion is altered in transplant rejection. We used MR tissue phase mapping to analyze segmental three-directional myocardial velocities in stable patients after heart transplantation (HTX, n=9) without signs of rejection. Compared to healthy controls (n=20) reduced segmental long-axis velocities in systole and diastole and increased diastolic radial velocities were found. These altered peak velocities might be an expression of remodeling and fibrosis in the transplanted heart. The knowledge of the alterations in regional motion in the transplanted heart under stable conditions is essential in order to use myocardial velocities as diagnostic tools in transplant rejection.