Accuracy of contrast-enhanced cine-MR sequences in the assessment of left ventricular function: comparison with precontrast cine-MR sequences. Results of a bicentric study

Abstract

The accuracy of contrast-enhanced cine magnetic resonance (cine-MR) imaging to determine left ventricular function was assessed by comparison with the established noncontrast cine-MR sequences. Contrast-enhanced balanced steady-state free precession (cine-SSFP) sequences were compared with precontrast cine-SSFP sequences in the assessment of left ventricular contractile function in 30 consecutive patients with various cardiac diseases. Five to eight short-axis image sections were obtained in each patient. Quantitative data were analyzed using a paired t-test and linear regression analysis. Qualitative assessment of images was made following a 16-segment analysis. There was no significant difference between the two sequences in regional wall motion, end-diastolic volumes (EDV) and end-systolic volumes (ESV), stroke volume, left ventricular mass, as well as left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), despite slight delayed subendocardial enhancement in ten patients with myocardial infarction. All the values studied above were closely correlated between both cine-SSFP sequences (Spearman r=0.85-0.97, P<0.0001 for all comparisons). Contrast-enhanced cine-SSFP sequences can be used as a similar diagnostic tool as precontrast cine-MR sequences in the assessment of left ventricular contractile function.

Acute Myocarditis: Diagnostic Value of Contrast-Enhanced Cine Steady-State Free Precession MRI Sequences

“…This proportion is higher than the 44% sensitivity reported by Abdel-Aty et al [14] for spin-echo T1-weighted sequences and the 52% report- [2] for late gadoliniumenhanced sequences but is in agreement with the 88% sensitivity reported by Mahrholdt et al [15] for gradient-echo inversion recovery T1-weighted sequences. The locations of abnormalities, predominantly in the epicardial portion of the lateral free wall, are also in agreement with those in previous studies [13,16,17]. One additional case of subepicardial areas of high signal intensity suggestive of lesions of acute myocarditis was detected on contrast-enhanced cine images but not identified as such on late gadolinium-enhanced images.…”

“…In the detection and loca-tion of lesions of myocardial infarction, Laissy et al [5] found good correlation between late gadolinium-enhanced and contrast-enhanced cine images. Another advantage is that contrast injection does not preclude measurement of left ventricular function on contrast-enhanced cine images [13].…”

Quantitative assessment of left ventricular function with dual-source CT in comparison to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging: initial findings

“…The observed non-significant differences between functional parameters acquired in CT and MRI [17,18] may be caused by physiological effects due to rapid contrast material injection and the absence of beta-blocker medication in CT. In summary, a sufficient evaluation of the left ventricular function and wall motion is feasible with CT angiography datasets acquired for the examination of the coronary arteries, thus adding a comprehensive functional aspect to the static morphological assessment in CT and possibly rendering the modality a one-stop shop similar to MRI for some indications [6].…”

Contrast-enhanced Steady-state Free Precession in the Assessment of Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy after Alcohol Septal Ablation

“…These results indicate that contrast enhancement does not prevent cine imaging assessment using the SSFP sequence. 15 ceSSFP may allow observation of both myocardial injuries and LVOT obstruction after ASA in a single scan. Because we performed ceSSFP during the interval between gadolinium injection and Look-Locker T 1 scout imaging, there was no penalty of examination time.…”