Ultrafast computed tomography: A new method for the evaluation of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) presents with a wide spectrum of heterogeneous morphology. Modalities used to assess HCM include echocardiography, cardiac catheterization, radionuclide angiography, conventional computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging. This investigation was performed to assess the feasibility of using ultrafast CT with 50 ms/scan acquisition time in the cine mode to compare 11 patients with HCM to 11 patients with normal studies. A specific advantage of this technique includes tomographic representation of ventricular anatomy coupled with the ability to evaluate multiple parameters of dynamic function. Global and tomographic ejection fraction, left ventricular mass, wall thickness, left atrial size, and diastolic filling rates are among the parameters that can be measured. Mitral valve motion can also be assessed. Comparisons were made between the HCM and normal groups using a sample t test. There was a significant difference in left ventricular mass (p < 0.05) between the groups. Specific wall thickness parameters were also measured. Comparisons of the septal basal, septal mid-left ventricular, anterior basal, anterior mid-left ventricular, lateral, and posterior walls revealed a significant difference (p <0.05). The left atrial dimensions also demonstrated a dignificant difference (p < 0.05). Quantitative assessment of HCM can be performed by ultrafast CT. The combination of excellent spatial and temporal resolution makes it competitive and potentially superior to other techniques. Ultrafast CT should be considered when confronted with the need for diagnostic evaluation and subsequent follow-up in HCM.