Comparison of right ventricular volume measurement between segmented k-space gradient-echo and steady-state free precession magnetic resonance imaging.
OBJECTIVE
To compare right ventricular volume measurements and their reproducibility between steady-state free precession (SSFP) and conventional turbo gradient-echo (TGE) imaging.


METHODS
Right ventricular volumes and observer variabilities were compared between SSFP and TGE in 31 subjects (21 normal volunteers and 10 subjects with heart failure). For further internal validation of the right ventricular volumes, the left ventricle (LV) and right ventricle (RV) stroke volumes were compared for the normal volunteers.


RESULTS
The volumes as measured by SSFP were significantly larger than for TGE (mean bias end-diastolic volume [EDV] 11.1 +/- 14.2, end-systolic volume [ESV] 9.8 +/- 9.75). SSFP had lower interobserver variability (SSFP EDV -10.1 +/- 11.6 vs. TGE EDV -6.2 +/- 18.5) and intra-observer variability (SSFP EDV -2.0 +/- 6.3 vs. TGE EDV -6.1 +/- 14.8). The mean absolute differences between LV and RV stroke volumes for 21 normal volunteers were: TGE 5.8 +/- 12.9 (r(2) = 0.72), SSFP 4.6 +/- 6.9 (r(2) = 0.92).


CONCLUSIONS
SSFP and TGE yield different measurement values of RV volumes with SSFP, providing a more reproducible measurement.
Alfakih
Khaled
K
BHF Cardiac MRI Unit, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds, UK. khaledk100@hotmail.com
Thiele
Holger
H
Plein
Sven
S
Bainbridge
Gavin J
GJ
Ridgway
John P
JP
Sivananthan
Mohan U
MU
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000502:physiology; D016278:Ventricular Function, Right / Q000502:physiology*