Impact of isometric hand-grip exercise (IHE) on metrics of diastolic function by MRI

Motivation: Exercise testing is important in evaluation of diastolic dysfunction but there is little use of exercise for diagnosis. Goal(s): Test if MR phase-contrast and cine techniques can identify changes in E, A, and e’ with hand-grip exercise. Approach: Five healthy subjects underwent diastolic function evaluation by MRI, during isometric handgrip exercise. E, A and e’ were evaluated. Results: In this group, E/A decreased with exercise, and recovered after a period of rest. Isometric handgrip exercise is promising approach for revealing diastolic dysfunction in patients. Impact: Isometric hand-grip exercise may be a useful tool in exercise cardiac MRI for diagnosis in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction.