Quantitative analysis of late gadolinium enhancement in hypertrophic cardiomyopathy: comparison of diagnostic performance in myocardial fibrosis between gadobutrol and gadopentetate dimeglumine

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare different semi-automated late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) quantification techniques using gadobutrol and gadopentetate dimeglumine contrast agents with regard to the diagnosis of fibrotic myocardium in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). Thirty patients with HCM underwent two cardiac MRI protocols with use of gadobutrol and gadopentetate dimeglumine. Contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between LGE area and remote myocardium (CNRremote), between LGE area and left ventricular blood pool (CNRpool), and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) in LGE were compared. The presence and quantity of LGE were determined by visual assessment. With signal threshold versus reference mean (STRM) based thresholds of 2 SD, 5 SD, and 6 SD above the mean signal intensity (SI) of reference myocardium, the full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) technique was used. The volume and segments of the LGE area were compared between the two types of contrast agents. LGE was present in 26 of 30 (86.6%) patients in both protocols. The CNRremote of fibrotic myocardium in gadobutrol and gadopentetate dimeglumine agents was 26.82 ± 14.24 and 21.46 ± 10.59, respectively (P < 0.05). The CNRpool was significantly higher in gadobutrol (9.32 ± 7.64 vs. 6.39 ± 6.11, P < 0.05). The SNR was higher in gadobutrol (33.36 ± 14.35 vs. 27.53 ± 10.91, P < 0.05). The volume of scar size in MR images acquired with gadobutrol were significantly higher than those with gadopentetate dimeglumine (P < 0.05), and the STRM of 5 SD technique showed the greatest agreement with visual assessment (ICC = 0.99) in both examinations. There was no significant difference in fibrotic segments of the fibrotic myocardium in the LGE area (P < 0.05). This study proved that the Gadobutrol was an effective contrast agent for LGE imaging with superior delineation of fibrotic myocardium as compared to gadopentetate dimeglumine. The 5 SD technique yields the closest approximation of the extent of LGE identified by visual assessment.

Gadobutrol: A Review in Contrast-Enhanced MRI and MRA

“…Small ( n = 12–30), prospective, single-centre studies in patients with chronic myocardial infarction (MI) [ 42 – 45 ] or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy [ 46 ] investigated the diagnostic efficacy of gadobutrol-enhancement in CV MRI. Single doses of gadobutrol or gadobenate dimeglumine were effective for late gadolinium-enhancement (LGE) imaging of chronic MI, based on intra-individual comparisons [ 44 ].…”

Contribution of perfusion to the 11C‐acetate signal in brown adipose tissue assessed by DCE‐MRI and 68Ga‐DOTA PET in a rat model

“…Figure 2C shows the blood and image‐derived AIF for 68 Ga‐DOTA as well as the gadolinium curve for 10 Fischer rats administered Gd‐DTPA as part of a different study (no cold exposure or sympathomimetics) 44 . Gadobutrol is generally equivalent to Gd‐DTPA for imaging purposes, although differences in viscosity may affect the AIF 46‐48 …”

“…44 Gadobutrol is generally equivalent to Gd-DTPA for imaging purposes, although differences in viscosity may affect the AIF. [46][47][48] All AIF are similar in terms of peak height and washout slope. Due to concerns about partial volume and motion, the 68 Ga-DOTA blood AIF was taken when available.…”

Tissue characterisation and myocardial mechanics using cardiac MRI in children with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

“…While some studies suggest that late gadolinium enhancement is more apparent with Gadovist than Magnevist, others suggest similar images for the two contrast agents. [29][30][31] Though there are minimal available data comparing extracellular volume values with Gadovist and Magnevist, the extracellular volume appears to be relatively contrast independent, with no significant difference or differences of questionable clinical significance between contrast agents. [32][33][34]…”