Left ventricular hypertrophy demonstrated by four-dimensional myocardiography by helical computed tomography.

We present 4D images of hypertrophied myocardium in patients with essential hypertension, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy with asymmetrical septal hypertrophy, and apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy using helical computed tomography (CT) ( Figures 1 through 4). Previously, we reported on 4D CT-ventriculography, which can assess right and left ventricular morphology and motion.1 In 4D ventriculography, we used only information about the inner cavities of the heart, and we discarded information regarding the myocardium. However, it is important to estimate the extent and function of the hypertrophied myocardium. Therefore, we retrieved and dealt with informa-tion about the myocardium as demonstrated in a 4D manner (4D myocardiography). Methods of data acquisition were the same for 4D CT-ventriculography as was reported previously.1 Fourdimensional myocardiography can analyze the detailed characteristics of hypertrophic myocardium in both ventricles noninvasively. It provides an assessment of myocardial volume, shape, and size and the extent of myocardial hypertrophy in any cardiac phase and in any perspective.