title: Single-Breathhold Four-Dimensional Assessment of Left Ventricular Morphological and Functional Parameters by Magnetic Resonance Imaging Using the VAST Technique.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The accurate and reproducible assessment of cardiac volumes, function, and mass is of paramount importance in cardiology. In the present study we sought to determine whether the 3D cine-magnetic resonance (MR) technique, using the variable asymmetric sampling in time (VAST) approach, provided an accurate assessment of LV functional parameters when compared with the conventional 2D cine-MR technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 43 consecutive patients referred for a CMR examination for clinical reasons and 14 healthy volunteers were included in the study. Cine images were acquired using a steady-state free precession pulse sequence. Two different multiphase acquisitions were performed: conventional 2D cine-MR and 3D cine-MR. The short-axis cine images acquired by both cine-MR techniques were used for the quantitative assessment of LV end-diastolic, end-systolic and stroke volumes, LV mass and ejection fraction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All CMR examinations were completed successfully, with both cine-MR imaging techniques yielding interpretable diagnostic results in all patients. Regarding the quantitative assessment, Bland-Altman analyses demonstrated a good agreement between the measurements of both cine-MR techniques for all LV parameters. In addition, the agreement between 2D and 3D cine-MR techniques for the qualitative assessment of LV global function was perfect (kappa = 1.0, P<0.001) for the two observers in consensus. The assessment performed by the third independent observer also demonstrated very good agreement (kappa = 0.88, P<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The single breathhold 3D cine-MR technique provides an accurate and reproducible quantitative assessment of LV volumes, mass and function when compared with the conventional 2D cine-MR method.
authors.affiliation: Heart Institute (InCor) University of São Paulo Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carlos Eduardo
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Rochitte
authors.forename: Clerio F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Azevedo
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Rosário
authors.forename: Maria H R
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Siqueira
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Monsão
authors.forename: Manoj
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Saranathan
authors.forename: Thomas K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Foo
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kalil Filho
authors.forename: Giovanni G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Cerri
authors.forename: José A F
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Ramires