Comparison of myocardial rotation and torsion in asymptomatic children with single RV, single LV and normal hearts

Background Abnormal myocardial rotation and torsion have been investigated earlier as markers of ventricular failure1-2. However, there are no previous studies on global or regional torsion in functional single ventricle (SV) or the contribution of torsion to biomechanical differences between single RV (SRV) and single LV (SLV) hearts. Additionally, regional variations in rotation between the ventricular free wall and the septal wall which borders the hypoplastic chamber in SV have not been studied. Purpose: In normal subjects and in asymptomatic patients with SLV and SRV after total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC), to compare: 1) Global rotation (ROTglo). 2) Regional rotation in systole at free wall (ROTfree) and septal wall (ROT sept) for each slice location. 3) Torsion across the ventricle from apex to base.