Left and right ventricle assessment with Cardiac CT: validation study vs. Cardiac MR

Abstract

Objectives: To compare Magnetic Resonance (MR) and Computed Tomography (CT) for the assessment of left (LV) and right (RV) ventricular functional parameters.

Methods: Seventy nine patients underwent both Cardiac CT and Cardiac MR. Images were acquired using short axis (SAX) reconstructions for CT and 2D cine b-SSFP (balanced-steady state free precession) SAX sequence for MR, and evaluated using dedicated software.

Results: CT and MR images showed good agreement: LV EF (Ejection Fraction) (52 ± 14% for CT vs. 52 ± 14% for MR; r = 0.73; p > 0.05); RV EF (47 ± 12% for CT vs. 47 ± 12% for MR; r = 0.74; p > 0.05); LV EDV (End Diastolic Volume) (74 ± 21 ml/m² for CT vs. 76 ± 25 ml/m² for MR; r = 0.59; p > 0.05); RV EDV (84 ± 25 ml/m² for CT vs. 80 ± 23 ml/m² for MR; r = 0.58; p > 0.05); LV ESV (End Systolic Volume)(37 ± 19 ml/m² for CT vs. 38 ± 23 ml/m² for MR; r = 0.76; p > 0.05); RV ESV (46 ± 21 ml/m² for CT vs. 43 ± 18 ml/m² for MR; r = 0.70; p > 0.05). Intra- and inter-observer variability were good, and the performance of CT was maintained for different EF subgroups.

Conclusions: Cardiac CT provides accurate and reproducible LV and RV volume parameters compared with MR, and can be considered as a reliable alternative for patients who are not suitable to undergo MR.

Key points: • Cardiac-CT is able to provide Left and Right Ventricular function. • Cardiac-CT is accurate as MR for LV and RV volume assessment. • Cardiac-CT can provide accurate evaluation of coronary arteries and LV and RV function.

Fig. 1

Short Axis views of the Left and Right Ventricle by MR and CT. End-diastolic Short Axis views of the Left and Right Ventricle by MR and CT (MPR 8 mm thick reconstructions). Example of the same patient imaged with MR (on the left) and CT (on the right). Short axis views for left and right ventricular volume calculation. Abbreviations: MR Magnetic Resonance, CT Computed Tomography

Fig. 2

Bland-Altman plots. Bland-Altman plots show good agreement for Left and Right Ventricular EF and for Left Ventricular ED wall Mass. Abbreviations: LV Left Ventricle, RV Right Ventricle, EF Ejection Fraction, EDV End Diastolic Volume, ED mass End Diastolic wall mass, MR Magnetic Resonance, CT Computed Tomography, SD standard deviation

Fig. 3

Scatter plots. Correlation of ejection fraction (EF) values in LV and RV and of ED Mass in LV. The graphs show minimal dispersion of the data and moderate/good correlation (r > 0.7) for all displayed parameters. Abbreviations: EF Ejection Fraction, ED mass End Diastolic wall mass, MR magnetic resonance, CT computed tomography, SD standard deviation