Dual-source CT with improved temporal resolution in assessment of left ventricular function: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
Functional analysis using MDCT has been limited by insufficient temporal resolution. The aim of this study was to assess the performance of a dual-source CT system with improved temporal resolution in the determination of both volume- or time-dependent functional parameters and regional wall motion in comparison with cine MRI.


METHODS
Twenty patients (15 of whom had previous myocardial infarction) were prospectively examined using dual-source CT. MRI was used as the standard of reference. Using the Simpson's method, ventricular volumes were determined for the whole of the cardiac cycle and results compared using Parson's correlation and Bland-Altman analysis. Regional wall motion was assessed on cine images and compared using weighted kappa statistics.


RESULTS
Dual-source CT revealed a strong correlation with cine MRI regarding the quantification of end-diastolic volume (r = 0.98), end-systolic volume (r = 0.99), stroke volume (r = 0.96), and ejection fraction (r = 0.95). Good correlation was obtained for peak ejection rate (r = 0.79) and peak filling rate (r = 0.84), whereas agreement proved only moderate for time-to-peak ejection rate (r = 0.68) or time-to-peak filling rate from end-systole (r = 0.64). The mean difference for ejection fraction was negligible (bias, 0.72%). Good agreement between both techniques was likewise found for regional wall motion (kappa = 0.88).


CONCLUSIONS
With the improvement of temporal resolution between 42 and 83 milliseconds, dual-source CT not only enables accurate assessment of global functional parameters, but it also allows for quantification of time-dependent variables and reliable evaluation of regional wall motion.
Brodoefel
Harald
H
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Eberhard-Karls-University, Hoppe-Seyler-Str. 3, 72076 Tübingen, Germany. h.brodoefel@t-online.de
Kramer
Ulrich
U
Reimann
Anja
A
Burgstahler
Christof
C
Schroeder
Stephen
S
Kopp
Andreas
A
Heuschmid
Martin
M
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*