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Color-Encoded Semiautomatic Analysis of Multi-Slice First-Pass Magnetic Resonance Perfusion: Comparison to Tetrofosmin Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography Perfusion and X-Ray Angiography

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Abstract

Background and purpose: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) perfusion can accurately detect coronary artery disease (CAD). However, the absence of efficient, easy-to-use and reliable image analysis software is an obstacle to its introduction into clinical practice. The aim of this study was to evaluate new color-encoded semiautomatic software for analysis of first-pass CMR perfusion in comparison to tetrofosmin myocardial single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), using X-ray angiography as the standard of truth for the detection of CAD. Methods: Thirty-two patients underwent both SPECT and CMR perfusion at rest and adenosine stress. Twenty of these patients also underwent X-ray angiography. Off-line CMR image analysis consisted of six steps to generate a color display of the myocardial perfusion reserve index (MPRI). The MPRI color-maps were analyzed visually and compared to SPECT. Results: In comparison to X-ray angiography overall accuracy was 87% for CMR and 77% for SPECT perfusion to detect significant CAD (stenosis ≥ 70%). In comparison with SPECT sensitivity was 80%, specificity 91%, and the overall agreement 89% for CMR. Conclusions: Post-processing of CMR perfusion data using new semiautomatic software to generate and display the MPRI visually as color-encoded images is feasible and fast. In this study it yielded higher accuracy than SPECT to detect significant CAD on X-ray angiography. Correlation between SPECT and CMR accuracy for detection of perfusion defects was high. This method may accelerate the time-consuming analysis of CMR perfusion data, thus enabling a more widespread clinical utility.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Internal Medicine/Cardiology, University of Leipzig – Heart Center, Strümpellstr. 39, 04289, Leipzig, Germany. Tel.: +49-341-865-1428; Fax: +49-341-865-1461; E-mail:

    Holger Thiele, John P. Ridgway, David Higgins, Penelope J. Thorley & Gerhard Schuler

  2. Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Unit, The General Infirmary at Leeds, Leeds, UK

    Sven Plein, Marcel Breeuwer & Mohan U. Sivananthan

Authors
  1. Holger Thiele
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  2. Sven Plein
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  3. Marcel Breeuwer
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  4. John P. Ridgway
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  5. David Higgins
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  6. Penelope J. Thorley
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  7. Gerhard Schuler
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  8. Mohan U. Sivananthan
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Thiele, H., Plein, S., Breeuwer, M. et al. Color-Encoded Semiautomatic Analysis of Multi-Slice First-Pass Magnetic Resonance Perfusion: Comparison to Tetrofosmin Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography Perfusion and X-Ray Angiography. Int J Cardiovasc Imaging 20, 371–384 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1023/B:CAIM.0000041938.45383.a4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/B:CAIM.0000041938.45383.a4

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