Left ventricular measurements with cine and spin-echo MR imaging: a study of reproducibility with variance component analysis.

Abstract

The authors studied the reproducibility of repeated measurements of left ventricular volumes, weight, and wall stress as determined with cine and spin-echo magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Two observers analyzed 40 serial MR imaging examinations twice, yielding a total of 160 repeated measurements. Estimates of 95% ranges for change were ejection fraction, 10% and 12%; wall mass, 16% and 21%; and wall stress, 22% and 20%, for measurements derived from cine MR imaging and spin-echo MR imaging, respectively. Reproducibility was not significantly different between cine and spin-echo MR imaging. Intraobserver, interobserver, and interexamination errors were quantitated with variance component analysis. Interexamination variability was the single most important contributor to total variance. Reproducibility of left ventricular chamber volume measurements with MR imaging is superior to that of other imaging modalities. In addition, MR imaging can provide reliable estimates of wall mass and wall stress. Efforts to improve reproducibility should be aimed at lowering interexamination variability.

Diastolic Dysfunction in Hypertensive Heart Disease Is Associated With Altered Myocardial Metabolism

“…Image analysis 24 was performed twice on separate occasions by 1 observer with a minimal time interval of 7 days and by a second independent observer to determine intraobserver and interobserver variability. 14 Functional parameters were calculated as described previously. 14,22 Peak rate of wall thickening and thinning were calculated as the maximal change in relative wall thickness/ms averaged for the LV circumference of a short-axis slice at two thirds of the LV long axis.…”

“…14 Functional parameters were calculated as described previously. 14,22 Peak rate of wall thickening and thinning were calculated as the maximal change in relative wall thickness/ms averaged for the LV circumference of a short-axis slice at two thirds of the LV long axis. 25 Acceleration and deceleration peak values were calculated as the maximal change in mL/s (expressed as mL/s 2 ) obtained from the velocity encoded MR imaging acquisitions.…”

“…10 Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a highly reliable technique for assessment of LV dimensions and systolic and diastolic function. 13,14 Phosphorus-31 ( 31 P) MR spectroscopy is a noninvasive, reproducible method to study myocardial HEP metabolism in vivo. [15][16][17][18] The combination of functional and metabolic evaluation of the human heart in a single MR examination may ultimately provide a sensitive tool for early detection of changes in cardiac performance and myocardial viability.…”

What cardiologists need to know about cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)

“…Following the scan, the short axis stack is analysed with semi-automated, border detection software to give highly reproducible measurements of ventricular volumes and function. (3)(4)(5)(6) Chelated gadolinium-based contrast agents are used to characterise the myocardium and often for MR angiography. These agents do not contain iodinated material and are not contra-indicated in patients with previous reactions to radio-opaque contrast agents.…”

Comparison of cardiac magnetic resonance with gated SPECT for evaluation of left ventricular function and volumes in patients with severe and multiple myocardial perfusion defects

“…Acquisitions were electrocardiographically synchronized to the cardiac cycle (Pattynama et al, 1993). The imaging with steady state precession technique was used with flip angles of 30°and 60°, a TE of 12 ms, and a TR of 50 ms. Slice thickness was 6 to 8 mm.…”