MR image analysis: Longitudinal cardiac motion influences left ventricular measurements.
BACKGROUND
Software for the analysis of left ventricular (LV) volumes and mass using border detection in short-axis images only, is hampered by through-plane cardiac motion. Therefore we aimed to evaluate software that involves longitudinal cardiac motion.


METHODS
Twenty-three consecutive patients underwent 1.5-Tesla cine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of the entire heart in the long-axis and short-axis orientation with breath-hold steady-state free precession imaging. Offline analysis was performed using software that uses short-axis images (Medis MASS) and software that includes two-chamber and four-chamber images to involve longitudinal LV expansion and shortening (CAAS-MRV). Intraobserver and interobserver reproducibility was assessed by using Bland-Altman analysis.


RESULTS
Compared with MASS software, CAAS-MRV resulted in significantly smaller end-diastolic (156+/-48ml versus 167+/-52ml, p=0.001) and end-systolic LV volumes (79+/-48ml versus 94+/-52ml, p<0.001). In addition, CAAS-MRV resulted in higher LV ejection fraction (52+/-14% versus 46+/-13%, p<0.001) and calculated LV mass (154+/-52g versus 142+/-52g, p=0.004). Intraobserver and interobserver limits of agreement were similar for both methods.


CONCLUSIONS
MR analysis of LV volumes and mass involving long-axis LV motion is a highly reproducible method, resulting in smaller LV volumes, higher ejection fraction and calculated LV mass.
Berkovic
Patrick
P
University Hospital Antwerp, Department of Cardiology, Belgium. pberko17@hotmail.com
Hemmink
Maarten
M
Parizel
Paul M
PM
Vrints
Christiaan J
CJ
Paelinck
Bernard P
BP
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000465:Algorithms; D016477:Artifacts; D005260:Female; D006352:Heart Ventricles / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009068:Movement; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D055815:Young Adult