title: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance evaluation of left ventricular peak filling rate using steady-state free precession and phase contrast sequences.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We investigated a practical method to measure peak filling rate (PFR) as an indicator of diastolic function of the left ventricle. Ten adult volunteers underwent cine MR imaging using steady-state free precession (SSFP) and phase contrast (PC) sequences to measure PFR. Two PC image sets were acquired at the mitral valve orifice, and PFR was determined from the set with high true temporal resolution (temporal PC method) or with high spatial resolution (spatial PC method). SSFP images covering the left ventricle were acquired, and a time-volume curve was generated around the peak filling phase. PFR was determined using parabolic curve fitting on the first-derivative curve of the LV time-volume curve.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PFR values estimated by the PC methods correlated well with those estimated by the SSFP method, despite apparent underestimation. The underestimation was smaller for the temporal PC method (12 %) than for the spatial PC method (28 %). Intra- and inter-observer repeatabilities were better for the PC methods than for the SSFP method.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  PFR measurement by PC imaging with high true temporal resolution is convenient and offers excellent repeatability and acceptable accuracy, indicating suitability for clinical use.
authors: Department of Radiology, Kitasato University Hospital, Sagamihara, Kanagawa Japan.
authors: Shotaro
authors: S
authors: Komi
authors: Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Kitasato University School of Medicine, 1-15-1 Kitasato, Minami-ku, Sagamihara, Kanagawa 252-0374 Japan.
authors: Yusuke
authors: Y
authors: Inoue
authors: Department of Radiology, Kitasato University Hospital, Sagamihara, Kanagawa Japan.
authors: Hirofumi
authors: H
authors: Hata
authors: Department of Radiology, Kitasato University Hospital, Sagamihara, Kanagawa Japan.
authors: Ai
authors: A
authors: Nakajima
authors: Department of Radiology, Kitasato University Hospital, Sagamihara, Kanagawa Japan.
authors: Hiroki
authors: H
authors: Miyatake
keywords: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance; Diastolic function; Peak filling rate; Phase contrast; Steady-state free precession