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Reconstructed 4-chamber views compared with axial imaging for assessment of right ventricular enlargement on CT pulmonary angiograms

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Abstract

Purpose To test the hypothesis that right enlargement assessed from right ventricular/left ventricular (RV/LV) dimension ratios of computed tomographic (CT) angiograms are equivalent irrespective of whether measured on axial views or reconstructed 4-chamber views. Methods RV/LV dimension ratios were calculated from measurements on axial views, manually reconstructed 4-chamber views and computer generated reconstructed 4-chamber views of CT angiograms in 152 patients with PE. Results Paired readings of the axial view and manually reconstructed 4-chamber view showed agreement with RV/LV ≥1 or RV/LV <1 in 114 of 127 (89.8%). Paired readings also showed agreement in 119 of 127 (93.7%) with axial views and computer generated reconstructed 4-chamber views. The McNemar test showed no statistically significant difference between assessments of RV enlargement (RV/LV ≥ 1) with any method. Conclusion Right ventricular enlargement can be determined from axial views on CT angiograms, which are readily and immediately available, without obtaining 4-chamber reconstructed views.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by Grants HL63899, HL63928, HL63931, HL63940, HL63981, HL63982, and HL67453 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Services, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, Bethesda, Maryland.

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Correspondence to Paul D. Stein.

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Stein, P.D., Matta, F., Yaekoub, A.Y. et al. Reconstructed 4-chamber views compared with axial imaging for assessment of right ventricular enlargement on CT pulmonary angiograms. J Thromb Thrombolysis 28, 342–347 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11239-009-0331-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11239-009-0331-5

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