On the assessment of right ventricular function using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiography

Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging are two commonly used imaging modalities for evaluating the size and function of the heart. There are advantages and disadvantages associated with both modalities when examining the right ventricle (RV). The RV is positioned partly behind the sternum and lung, sometimes causing shadows in the TTE images. This along with the complex shape of the RV makes volume calculations challenging by 2D TTE. CMR is considered to be the reference method for volume calculations of the ventricles. The valve separating the RV from the right atrium is however often oblique compared to the valve separating the left ventricle from the left atrium. This complicates RV volume calculations using conventional CMR short-axis stack images. The aim of this thesis was to find ways to improve the RV stroke volume and ejection fraction calculations using TTE and CMR. A method, transferring the position of the tricuspid plane from RV long-axis images to short-axis images, was developed to improve the separation of the right atrium from the RV when calculating RV stroke volumes by CMR. The method provided calculations of RV stroke volumes with good agreement to reference volumes. Further, the movements contributing to the RV stroke volume was studied aiming to find new ways of calculating RV stroke volumes and ejection fraction by TTE. A model for RV stroke volume and ejection fraction calculations was evaluated showing underestimation of stroke volumes by TTE compared to CMR, which probably depend on differences in distance measurements using the two modalities. The model provided, however, promising results for ejection fraction calculations which was validated in a study of 37 participants that covered a wide range of EF