Fast 3D cine steady-state free precession imaging with sensitivity encoding for assessment of left ventricular function in a single breath-hold.
OBJECTIVE
This study compares single breath-hold 3D cine steady-state free precession (SSFP) MRI using sensitivity encoding (SENSE) with standard 2D cine SSFP imaging in the quantitative evaluation of global left ventricular (LV) function.


METHODS
The LV function of 22 healthy volunteers and 15 patients was evaluated using a standard 2D SSFP sequence and a 3D SSFP sequence with SENSE at 1.5 T. Ventricular volume, ejection fraction, and LV mass were calculated with each method, and signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) and myocardium-to-blood contrast-to-noise ratios (CNRs) were measured. Agreement between the two methods was assessed using Bland-Altman analysis, and results were compared using a paired Student's t test (p < 0.05). The local institutional review board approved the study protocol, and all participants gave signed informed consent. The study complied with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act.


RESULTS
Both techniques produced similar estimates of ejection fraction (mean bias +/- SD, -1.2% +/- 3.6%) and LV mass (mean bias, +/- SD-1.2 +/- 10.9 g). No significant differences were found in calculated volumes, ejection fraction, or LV mass between the two methods. Acquisition time was reduced by 82%, to a single breath-hold (18 +/- 3 seconds), with the 3D SSFP technique. SNR and CNR were significantly lower with the 3D method than with the standard method.


CONCLUSIONS
Three-dimensional SSFP imaging with SENSE can reduce acquisition time to a single breath-hold and can provide LV function quantification comparable to that obtained with conventional 2D SSFP imaging.
Mascarenhas
Neil B
NB
Department of Medicine, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA.
Muthupillai
Raja
R
Cheong
Benjamin
B
Pereyra
Mercedes
M
Flamm
Scott D
SD
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D019028:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012119:Respiration; D013318:Stroke Volume; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left