Abstract
Purpose
This study compared two quantitative semiautomated software packages for volumetric analysis of the left ventricle (LV) by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging using two-dimensional (2D) cine balanced steady-state free precession (b-SSFP) sequences.
Materials and methods
We included 46 consecutive patients who underwent cardiac MR imaging for various indications. Two-dimensional cine b-SSFP sequences were used to assess the LV. Data sets were evaluated with two dedicated software packages: ViewForum, version 4.2, and Argus, version Va60C. Results were compared with Student’s t test for paired samples, Pearson’s r correlation coefficient and R2 coefficient of determination; ejection fraction differences were assessed with Bland-Altman analysis. The time required for analysis was also recorded.
Results
We observed very high levels of concordance and reproducibility. High correlation was observed for ejection fraction (p>0.05; r=0.9; R 2=0.82). The time required for analysis was 7.6±2.78 min vs. 7.52±2.4 min (p>0.05; r=0.85; R 2=0.73). Intraobserver and interobserver variability did not show significant differences.
Conclusions
LV volume evaluation is an integral part of cardiac MR imaging. In our experience, there is no significant difference between the commonly used software packages in either quantitative output or time required for analysis.
Riassunto
Obiettivo
Confrontare due software quantitativi semiautomatici per l’analisi volumetrica del ventricolo sinistro mediante RM con sequenze 2D cine balanced steady state free precession (b-SSFP).
Materiali e metodi
Sono stati inclusi nello studio 46 pazienti consecutivi che avevano eseguito una RM cardiaca con diverse indicazioni. Le scansioni 2D cine b-SSFP sono state utilizzate per la valutazione funzionale del ventricolo sinistro e i data-set ottenuti sono stati valutati utilizzando due software dedicati: ViewForum versione 4.2 e Argus versione Va60C. Il tempo necessario per ottenere le misurazioni è stato registrato. I risultati sono stati confrontati mediante test t di Student per dati appaiati, test di correlazione di Pearson (r) e di determinazione R2; le differenze relative alla frazione di eiezione sono state valutate con analisi di Bland-Altman.
Risultati
È stata osservata una elevata concordanza e riproducibilità dei risultati. È stata rilevata una elevata correlazione dei valori della frazione di eiezione (p>0,05; r=0,9; R2=0,82). Il tempo impiegato per ottenere i risultati volumetrici con i due software è stato di 7,6±2,78 min vs 7,52±2,4 min (p>0,50; r=0,85; R2=0,73). La variabilità intra-osservatore e quella inter-osservatore non hanno mostrato differenze significative.
Conclusioni
La valutazione volumetrica quantitativa dei volumi del ventricolo sinistro è parte integrante dell’esame di cardio-RM. Nella nostra esperienza i software comunemente utilizzati forniscono risultati sovrapponibili in un tempo comparabile.
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Messalli, G., Palumbo, A., Maffei, E. et al. Assessment of left ventricular volumes with cardiac MRI: comparison between two semiautomated quantitative software packages. Radiol med 114, 718–727 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-009-0423-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11547-009-0423-5