Importance of imaging plane for magnetic resonance imaging of the normal left ventricle.

Visualization of the left ventricle by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is largely a function of imaging planes. The best depiction of the myocardium is possible when the imaging plane is perpendicular to the region of interest. The effect of imaging plane on the visualization of the left ventricle has not been fully described. To assess this effect, 10 normal adults underwent electrocardiogram-gated multiplanar cardiac MRI. The imaging planes being evaluated were standard planes, transverse, sagittal and coronal, and modified planes relating to the left ventricular (LV) long axis: coronal long axis parallel to the ventricular septum (VS), sagittal long axis perpendicular to the VS and transverse short axis perpendicular to the VS and long axis. The myocardium was separated into 9 segments. Using each plane, the LV segments were evaluated for quality of LV depiction. The planes based on the LV long axis were superior to standard planes in depicting the LV segments.