Reconstruction of myocardial architecture at high resolution using diffusion tensor MRI

Diffusion tensor MRI (DTMRI) is a possible new means of elucidating the anatomic structure of the myocardium. It enjoys several advantages over traditional histological methods, including its ability to rapidly and nondestructively measure fiber architecture at very high resolution. However, quantitative validation of this MRI method has been lacking. Here, fiber orientations are estimated at the same locations using both DTMRI and histology in one formalin-fixed rabbit heart. Fiber orientations were statistically similar, differing on average by 5.3° (RMS) at any one location. The ventricular myofiber architecture of a number of normal rabbit hearts was then reconstructed using DTMRI into 3-D computer models for visualization. Myofiber organization appeared qualitatively similar to a previous high-resolution reconstruction using traditional histology