1Radiological Sciences, University of California,
Los Angeles, CA,
United States; 2Siemens
Medical Solutions USA, Inc., Los
Angeles, CA, United States
Left
ventricular (LV) torsion is an important
measure of LV
performance. This study validates a
novel quantitative method (Fourier Analysis of STimulated echoes - FAST) for
the rapid quantification of LV
torsion by comparison to a gold standard method (FindTags) and finds no
statistical difference between the methods in six canine studies. The intraobserver coefficient of variation
(CV) for each observer was 4.2% and 2.3%. The interobserver CV was 8.4% and
5.4%. FAST analysis of LV torsion in six
healthy-subjects demonstrates quantitation of systolic torsion and early
untwisting. FAST is a highly
reproducible and rapid (<3 minutes-per-study) quantitative method.