The intra-observer reproducibility of cardiovascular magnetic resonance myocardial feature tracking strain assessment is independent of field strength

Andreas Schuster, Geraint Morton, Shazia T. Hussain, Roy Jogiya, Shelby Kutty, Kaleab N. Asrress, Marcus R. Makowski, Boris Bigalke, Divaka Perera, Philipp Beerbaum, Eike Nagel

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

83 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance myocardial feature tracking (CMR-FT) is a promising novel method for quantification of myocardial wall mechanics from standard steady-state free precession (SSFP) images. We sought to determine whether magnetic field strength affects the intra-observer reproducibility of CMR-FT strain analysis. Methods: We studied 2 groups, each consisting of 10 healthy subjects, at 1.5 T or 3 T Analysis was performed at baseline and after 4 weeks using dedicated CMR-FT prototype software (Tomtec, Germany) to analyze standard SSFP cine images. Right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) longitudinal strain (EllRV and EllLV) and LV long-axis radial strain (ErrLAX) were derived from the 4-chamber cine, and LV short-axis circumferential and radial strains (EccSAX, ErrSAX) from the short-axis orientation. Strain parameters were assessed together with LV ejection fraction (EF) and volumes. Intra-observer reproducibility was determined by comparing the first and the second analysis in both groups. Results: In all volunteers resting strain parameters were successfully derived from the SSFP images. There was no difference in strain parameters, volumes and EF between field strengths (p > 0.05). In general EccSAX was the most reproducible strain parameter as determined by the coefficient of variation (CV) at 1.5 T (CV 13.3% and 46% global and segmental respectively) and 3 T (CV 17.2% and 31.1% global and segmental respectively). The least reproducible parameter was EllRV (CV 1.5 T 28.7% and 53.2%; 3 T 43.5% and 63.3% global and segmental respectively). Conclusions: CMR-FT results are similar with reasonable intra-observer reproducibility in different groups of volunteers at 1.5 T and 3 T. CMR-FT is a promising novel technique and our data indicate that results might be transferable between field strengths. However there is a considerable amount of segmental variability indicating that further refinements are needed before CMR-FT can be fully established in clinical routine for quantitative assessment of wall mechanics and strain.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)296-301
Number of pages6
JournalEuropean Journal of Radiology
Volume82
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Feb 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging
  • Myocardial feature tracking
  • Quantification
  • Strain

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The intra-observer reproducibility of cardiovascular magnetic resonance myocardial feature tracking strain assessment is independent of field strength'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this