Intercentre reproducibility of magnetic resonance T2* measurements of myocardial iron in thalassaemia.
In transfusion-dependent thalassemia major, iron-induced cardiomyopathy is the predominant cause of morbidity and mortality. Assessment of myocardial iron loading using MRI gradient echo T2* measurements have been described, but has only been performed at one centre in London. We assessed the transferability of this method by comparing the results from three different MR scanners in three different countries. Ten patients with thalassemia major underwent myocardial T2* assessment using a Siemens Sonata Scanner in London. Patients were also scanned with either a similar T2* sequence on a GE Systems CVI scanner in Athens, or a GE Systems signa echospeed scanner in Cagliari. Two scans were performed at the respective site in all patients to assess interstudy reproducibility at each site. The mean difference and coefficient of variability for the heart between scanners was 0.08 ms and 9.7% between London and Athens; and 0.30 ms and 1.6% between London and Cagliari. The interstudy mean difference and coefficient of variability for the heart in Athens was 0.6 ms and 3.5%, and 0.2 ms and 2.4% in Cagliari. In conclusion, the myocardial iron estimations were consistent between the three centres with scanners of differing manufacture, suggesting that this technique may have widespread application in the assessment of patients with iron overload conditions such as thalassaemia.
Westwood
Mark A
MA
CMR Unit, Royal Brompton Hospital, Sydney Street, London, SW3 6NP, UK. markwestwood1@doctors.org.uk
Firmin
David N
DN
Gildo
Matta
M
Renzo
Galanello
G
Stathis
Gotsis
G
Markissia
Karagiorga
K
Vasili
Berdoukas
B
Pennell
Dudley J
DJ
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007501:Iron / Q000378:metabolism*; D019190:Iron Overload / Q000378:metabolism; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation*; D008297:Male; D009206:Myocardium / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D017086:beta-Thalassemia / Q000378:metabolism*
D007501:Iron