Single-breathhold four-dimensional assessment of left ventricular volumes and function using k-t BLAST after application of extracellular contrast agent at 3 Tesla.
OBJECTIVE
To prospectively determine the feasibility and accuracy of a four-dimensional (4D) k-space over time broad-use linear acquisition speed-up technique (k-t BLAST) for the evaluation of left ventricular (LV) volumes in comparison to standard multiple-breathhold cine imaging, using a 3.0 Tesla (3T) MR system.


METHODS
In 23 subjects, short-axis cine loops completely covering the LV were acquired using conventional turbo gradient echo (GRE) imaging. Immediately after administration of gadobenate dimeglumine, a rapid single-breathhold k-t BLAST 4D dataset with the same coverage was acquired and reconstructed to short-axis views. Quantitative aortic flow measurement for LV stroke volume (LVSV) was used to calibrate both techniques. For GRE and k-t BLAST cine imaging: LV volumes, ejection fraction (EF), and blood-to-myocardium-contrast (BMC) were determined.


RESULTS
k-t BLAST and GRE sequences showed a strong correlation for LV volumes and EF (r = 0.97-0.99; P < 0.001). Excellent agreement was also found between the LVSV determined by aortic flow measurements and LVSV assessed using GRE sequence and k-t BLAST sequence. BMC of GRE was similar to that of k-t BLAST cine imaging.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of the single-breathhold 4D k-t BLAST technique for the assessment of LV volume is feasible and accurate in 3T MRI.
Hamdan
Ashraf
A
Department of Internal Medicine/Cardiology, German Heart Institute Berlin, Berlin, Germany. hamdashraf@gmail.com
Kelle
Sebastian
S
Schnackenburg
Bernhard
B
Wellnhofer
Ernst
E
Fleck
Eckart
E
Nagel
Eike
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002138:Calibration; D002306:Cardiac Volume; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D019028:Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine; D008297:Male; D008536:Meglumine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D008875:Middle Aged; D009942:Organometallic Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000175:diagnosis*
D003287:Contrast Media; D009942:Organometallic Compounds; C064572:gadobenic acid; D008536:Meglumine