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Non-compact myocardium assessment by cardiac magnetic resonance: dependence on image analysis method

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Abstract

To compare image analysis methods for the assessment of left ventricle non-compaction from cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. CMR images were analyzed in 20 patients and 10 normal subjects. A reference model of the MR signal was introduced and validated based on image data. Non-compact (NC) myocardium size and distribution were assessed by tracing a single, continuous contour delimiting trabeculated region (Jacquier) or by one-by-one selection of trabeculae (Grothoff). The global non-compact/compact (NC/C) ratio, the NC mass, and the segmental NC/C ratio were assessed. Results were compared with the reference model. A significant difference between Grothoff and Jacquier approaches in the estimation of NC/C ratio (32.08 ± 6.63 vs. 19.81 ± 5.72, p < 0.0001) and NC mass (26.59 ± 8.36 vs. 14.15 ± 5.73 g/m2, p < 0.0001) was found. The Grothoff approach better matches the expected signal distribution. Inter-observer reproducibility of both Grothoff and Jacquier methods was adequate (9.71 and 8.22%, respectively) with no significant difference between observers. Jacquier and Grothoff approaches are not interchangeable so that specific diagnostic thresholds should be used for different image analysis methods. Grothoff method seems to better capture the true extension of trabeculated tissue.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. MR Laboratory, Fondazione G. Monasterio CNR – Regione Toscana, Via Moruzzi, 1, 56124, Pisa, Italy

    Vincenzo Positano, Antonella Meloni, Laura Pistoia, Andrea Barison & Alessia Pepe

  2. Department of Cardiology, Policlinico “P. Giaccone”, Palermo, Italy

    Francesca Macaione & Salvatore Novo

  3. CNR Institute of Clinical Physiology, Pisa, Italy

    Maria Filomena Santarelli

Authors
  1. Vincenzo Positano
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  2. Antonella Meloni
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  3. Francesca Macaione
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  4. Maria Filomena Santarelli
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Correspondence to Vincenzo Positano.

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All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed. All procedures performed in studies involving animals were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution or practice at which the studies were conducted.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

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Positano, V., Meloni, A., Macaione, F. et al. Non-compact myocardium assessment by cardiac magnetic resonance: dependence on image analysis method. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 34, 1227–1238 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10554-018-1331-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10554-018-1331-3

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