Assessment of global left ventricular function and volumes with 320-row multidetector computed tomography: A comparison with 2D-echocardiography.
BACKGROUND
Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) has been demonstrated as a feasible imaging modality for noninvasive assessment of coronary artery disease and left ventricular (LV) function. Recently, 320-row systems have become available with 16 cm anatomical coverage allowing image acquisition of the entire heart within a single heartbeat. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of 320-row MDCT in the assessment of global LV function compared to two-dimensional (2D) echocardiography as the standard of reference.


RESULTS
A head-to-head comparison between 320-row MDCT and 2D-echocardiography was performed in 114 patients (68 men; mean age 62 +/- 13 years) who were clinically referred for MDCT coronary angiography. The entire heart was imaged in a single heartbeat, using prospective dose modulation. LV end-diastolic volumes (LVEDV) and LV end-systolic volumes (LVESV) were determined and the LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was derived. Average LVEF was 60 +/- 10% (range 26-78%) as determined on MDCT, compared with 59 +/- 10% (range 25-77%) on 2D-echocardiography. Evaluation of LVEF by linear regression analysis showed a good correlation between MDCT and 2D-echocardiography (r(2) = .87; P < .001). Good correlations between MDCT and 2D-echocardiography were demonstrated for the assessment of LVEDV (r(2) = .91; P < .001) and LVESV (r(2) = .94; P < .001). At Bland-Altman analysis, mean differences (+/-SD) of 7.3 +/- 12.1 mL (P < .05) and 1.8 +/- 7.4 mL (P < .05) were observed between MDCT and 2D-echocardiography for LVEDV and LVESV, respectively. LVEF was slightly overestimated with MDCT (.9 +/- 3.6%; P < .05).


CONCLUSIONS
Accurate assessment of LV function and volumes is feasible with single heartbeat 320-row MDCT in patients referred for MDCT coronary angiography.
de Graaf
Fleur R
FR
Department of Cardiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Postal Zone: C5-P, P.O. Box 9600, 2333 ZA, Leiden, The Netherlands.
Schuijf
Joanne D
JD
van Velzen
Joëlla E
JE
Nucifora
Gaetano
G
Kroft
Lucia J
LJ
de Roos
Albert
A
Schalij
Martin J
MJ
Jukema
J Wouter
JW
van der Wall
Ernst E
EE
Bax
Jeroen J
JJ
D000368:Aged; D002309:Cardiology / Q000379:methods; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D016277:Ventricular Function, Left