Cardiac Cine MRI Using a Commercially Available 0.55-T Scanner.

ABSTRACT

Purpose To compare parameters of left ventricular (LV) and right ventricular (RV) volume and function between a commercially available 0.55-T low-field-strength cardiac cine MRI scanner and a 1.5-T scanner. Materials and Methods In this prospective study, healthy volunteers (May 2022 to July 2022) underwent same-day cine imaging using both scanners (0.55 T, 1.5 T). Volumetric and functional parameters were assessed by two experts. After analyzing the results of a blinded crossover reader study of the healthy volunteers, 20 participants with clinically indicated cardiac MRI were prospectively included (November 2022 to February 2023). In a second blinded expert reading, parameters from clinical 1.5-T scans in these participants were compared with those same-day 0.55-T scans. Results are displayed as Bland-Altman plots. Results Eleven healthy volunteers (mean age 33 years [95% CI 27, 40]; four of 11 [36%] female, seven of 11 [64%] male) were included. Very strong mean correlation was observed (r = 0.98 [95% CI 0.97, 0.98]). Average deviation between MRI systems was 1.6% (95% CI 0.3, 2.9) for both readers. Twenty participants with clinically indicated cardiac MRI were included (mean age 55 years [95% CI 48, 62], six of 20 [30%] female, 14 of 20 [70%] male). Mean correlation was very strong (r = 0.98 [95% CI 0.97, 0.98]). LV and RV parameters demonstrated an average deviation of 1.1% (95% CI 0.1, 2.1) between MRI systems. Conclusion Cardiac cine MRI at 0.55 T yielded comparable results for quantitative biventricular volumetric and functional parameters compared with routine imaging at 1.5 T, if acquisition time is doubled. Keywords Cardiac, Comparative Studies, Heart, Cardiovascular MRI, Cine, Myocardium Supplemental material is available for this article. ©RSNA, 2024.