Although several methods exist for the analysis of tagged MRI images of the left ventricle (LV), analysis of the right ventricle (RV) remains challenging due to its complex anatomy and significant through plane motion. We present here preliminary results of our new motion analysis method, both for RV and LV, in healthy human volunteers. In this method, following standard myocardial and tag segmentation of cardiac gated cine tagged MR images; a 4D B-spline based parametric motion field was computed for a volume of interest encompassing both ventricles. Using this motion field, 3D displacements and strains were calculated on the RV and LV. We observed that for both chambers the circumferential strain (Ecc) decreased with a constant rate throughout systole. The systolic strain rate displayed spatial similarity not only for the LV but also for the RV. For RV free wall, mean systolic Ecc was $MIN@0.19 $POM 0.05 with an average coefficient of variability of 20%. The 4D B-spline based motion analysis technique for tagged MRI yields compatible results for the LV and gives consistent circumferential strain measures for the RV free wall. Tagged MRI based RV mechanical analysis can be used along with LV results for a more complete cardiac evaluation.
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