Quantitative right and left ventricular functional analysis during gated whole-chest MDCT: a feasibility study comparing automatic segmentation to semi-manual contouring.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the feasibility of an automatic, whole-heart segmentation algorithm for measuring global heart function from gated, whole-chest MDCT images.


METHODS
15 patients with suspicion of PE underwent whole-chest contrast-enhanced MDCT with retrospective ECG synchronization. Two observers computed right and left ventricular functional indices using a semi-manual and an automatic whole-heart segmentation algorithm. The two techniques were compared using Bland-Altman analysis and paired Student's t-test. Measurement reproducibility was calculated using intraclass correlation coefficient.


RESULTS
Ventricular analysis with automatic segmentation was successful in 13/15 (86%) and in 15/15 (100%) patients for the right ventricle and left ventricle, respectively. Reproducibility of measurements for both ventricles was perfect (ICC: 1.00) and very good for automatic and semi-manual measurements, respectively. Ventricular volumes and functional indices except right ventricular ejection fraction obtained from the automatic method were significantly higher for the RV compared to the semi-manual methods.


CONCLUSIONS
The automatic, whole-heart segmentation algorithm enabled highly reproducible global heart function to be rapidly obtained in patients undergoing gated whole-chest MDCT for assessment of acute chest pain with suspicion of pulmonary embolism.
Coche
Emmanuel
E
Department of Medical Imaging, Université Catholique de Louvain, Cliniques Universitaires St-Luc (UCL), Avenue Hippocrate, 10, 1200 Brussels, Belgium. Emmanuel.coche@uclouvain.be
Walker
Matthew J
MJ
Zech
Francis
F
de Crombrugghe
Rodolphe
R
Vlassenbroek
Alain
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D055424:Cardiac-Gated Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015588:Observer Variation; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods*; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D011857:Radiographic Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic / Q000379:methods*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D018487:Ventricular Dysfunction, Left / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D018497:Ventricular Dysfunction, Right / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*