The evaluation of Left ventricular function has both prognostic as well as therapeutic implications in patients with heart disease. Non-invasive coronary angiography with computed tomography using 16 slices (MDCT-16) allows to obtain images of the coronary anatomy due to its high spatial and temporal resolution, and also, to obtain data regarding Left ventricular function. The objective of this study was to correlate the use of MDCT-16 for the evaluation of the Left ventricular parameters using MRI as the Standard of reference.
Methods: MRI: Se A 1.5 Tesla GE CvI Scanner optimized for cardiovascular applications was used. Using an ECG gated steady state fast precession sequence (SSFP, Thickness 10 mm, Flip Angle 45, FOV 36 cm. NEX 1, Frequency 256, Phase 128, Partial FOV 0.75, 16VPS), 6 to 8 short axis images of from base to apex of the left ventricle were obtained. Tomography: Using a 16 slice Multidetector tomograph (GE Lightspeed) and using ECG synchronization, images of the heart were obtained after the administration of 80 mls. of no-ionic contrast. The images were reconstructed off-line to obtain from 6 to 8 slices in a similar fashion to that of MR. Both studies were independently analyzed by 2 operators who obtained the ventricular function data. Linear correlation and a Paired T Student test was used to analyze the data and was considered significant when p < 0.05.
Results: 20 consecutive patients were evaluated with MDCT-16 and MRI, 18 males, mean age 52 +/- 15 years. There was no significant difference among the measurements for cardiac CT and MRI of the end-diastolic volume (EDV) and end-sistolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), LV Mass or LV ejection fraction (LVEF).
Conclusion: This results show a high correlation among the clinically relevant ventricular function parameters evaluated by cardiovascular CT and MRI. This findings suggest that ventricular function can be successfully evaluated along with the coronary anatomy using MDCT-16.