Comparison of the detection of subtle changes in myocardial regional systolic function using qualitative and semi-quantitative techniques.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate qualitative wall motion assessment vs. quantitative wall thickening for the assessment of subtle changes in myocardial systolic function using cine MRI.


METHODS
Cine MR images were obtained in 5 canines with a significant coronary artery stenosis and in 2 controls on a 1.5T scanner. Qualitative results were obtained using a numerical scoring system; quantitative analysis was performed using a semi-automatic segmentation program. The techniques were matched and compared using Spearman correlations.


RESULTS
All correlations in the experimental group revealed significant but weak to moderate relationships between the qualitative and quantitative results (e.g., at-risk tissue rho = 0.363, p < 0.0001; remote tissue rho = 0.275, p = 0.0002), with each identifying changes in regional function that ensued following creation of the stenosis. Intra-observer variability was reasonable in both methods when repeat analysis on a subset of the data was performed, with both techniques showing a significant correlation between the repeated measurements (quantitative - rho = 0.52, p < 0.0001; qualitative - rho = 0.54, p < 0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Both methods were able to detect very limited wall motion abnormalities present in the canines with significant stenosis and either method gives comparable results.
Lekx
Katie S
KS
Department of Nuclear Medicine, Imaging Program, Lawson Health Research Institute, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. klekx@lawsonimaging.ca
Fathimani
Maryam
M
Bureau
Yves
Y
Wisenberg
Gerald
G
Sykes
Jane
J
Prato
Frank S
FS
D000818:Animals; D003326:Coronary Circulation; D023921:Coronary Stenosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D004285:Dogs; D005260:Female; D007089:Image Enhancement; D019028:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine; D009200:Myocardial Contraction; D015588:Observer Variation; D012039:Regional Blood Flow; D013318:Stroke Volume; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left