[Quantification of ventricular mass and function using real-time free-breathing SSFP sequences]. / Cuantificación de la función y masa ventricular con secuencias SSFP en tiempo real y respiración libre.

OBJECTIVES: To compare real-time free-breathing steady-state free precession (SSFP) sequences with conventional breath-hold segmented SSFP sequences on the quantification of ventricular mass and function. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Cardiac function and mass were assessed in 15 consecutive patients with cardiopathies who underwent MRI for diverse indications. Sequences were planned in the short axis to include the area from the base to the apex of the ventricle. Two sequences were used: 1) a conventional breath-hold segmented SSFP sequence with 7-mm-thick slices and 3-mm gap between slices and 2) a real-time free-breathing SSFP sequence with 10-mm-thick slices. The systolic and diastolic volumes (VTD, VTS) and ejection fraction (EF) of both ventricles were evaluated and the mass of the left ventricle (LVM) was measured. The correlation between the different sequences was studied for each variable. RESULTS: An excellent correlation was observed between the two sequences on the quantification of cardiac parameters in both ventricles (0.9; p < 0.01). The mean differences for EF, VTD, VTS, and stroke volume (VTD-VTS) were 2.5% (2.1), 5.6 ml (14.2), -0.8 ml (6.4), 6.4 ml (9.4), respectively, for the left ventricle and 1.7% (3.1), 1.8 ml (18.7), -1.9 ml (9.8), 3.7 ml (10.8), respectively, for the right ventricle. The mean difference between the LVM was 4.8 g (6.3). CONCLUSIONS: The real-time free-breathing SSFP sequence is useful for the quantification of ventricular mass and function. The correlation with conventional SSFP is excellent. Both sequences allow the cardiac parameters to be precisely quantified and the results are reproducible.

Cuantificación de la función y masa ventricular con secuencias SSFP en tiempo real y respiración libre / Quantification of ventricular mass and function using real-time free-breathing SSFP sequences

Objetivos. Comparar la cuantificación de la función y masa ventricular en estudios de resonancia magnética (RM) cardíaca realizados con una secuencia SSFP en tiempo real y respiración libre (SSFP-RL) con respecto a la secuencia SSFP segmentada convencional (SSFP-apnea). Material y métodos. Se analizó la función y masa cardíaca en 15 pacientes consecutivos con cardiopatía a los que se realizó RM por diversas indicaciones. Las secuencias se planificaron en plano eje corto, incluyendo desde la base hasta el ápex ventricular. Se emplearon dos secuencias: secuencia segmentada SSFP convencional en apnea, de 7 mm de grosor de corte e intervalo de 3 mm y secuencia SSFP en tiempo real y respiración libre de 10 mm de grosor de corte. Se evaluaron los volúmenes (volumen telediastólico [VTD] y volumen telesistólico [VTS]) y fracción de eyección (FE) de ambos ventrículos y la masa ventricular izquierda (MVI). Se estudió la correlación entre las distintas secuencias para cada variable. Resultados. Se observó una correlación excelente entre las dos secuencias realizadas para la cuantificación de parámetros cardíacos en ambos ventrículos (0,9; p < 0,01). Las diferencias medias para la FE, VTD, VTS y volumen latido fueron 2,5% (2,1); 5,6 ml (14,2); -0,8 ml (6,4); 6,4 ml (9,4) para el ventrículo izquierdo y 1,7% (3,1); 1,8 ml (18,7); -1,9 ml (9,8); 3,7 ml (10,8) para el ventrículo derecho. La diferencia media de la masa ventricular izquierda (MVI) fue de 4,8 g (6,3). Conclusiones. La secuencia SSFP en tiempo real y respiración libre es útil para cuantificar la función y masa ventricular. La correlación es excelente con respecto a la secuencia SSFP convencional. Ambas secuencias permiten la cuantificación de los parámetros cardíacos de forma exacta y reproducible

Objectives. To compare real-time free-breathing steady-state free precession (SSFP) sequences with conventional breath-hold segmented SSFP sequences on the quantification of ventricular mass and function. Material and methods. Cardiac function and mass were assessed in 15 consecutive patients with cardiopathies who underwent MRI for diverse indications. Sequences were planned in the short axis to include the area from the base to the apex of the ventricle. Two sequences were used: 1) a conventional breath-hold segmented SSFP sequence with 7-mm-thick slices and 3-mm gap between slices and 2) a real-time free-breathing SSFP sequence with 10-mm-thick slices. The systolic and diastolic volumes (VTD, VTS) and ejection fraction (EF) of both ventricles were evaluated and the mass of the left ventricle (LVM) was measured. The correlation between the different sequences was studied for each variable. Results. An excellent correlation was observed between the two sequences on the quantification of cardiac parameters in both ventricles (0.9; p < 0.01). The mean differences for EF, VTD, VTS, and stroke volume (VTD-VTS) were 2.5% (2.1), 5.6 ml (14.2), -0.8 ml (6.4), 6.4 ml (9.4), respectively, for the left ventricle and 1.7% (3.1), 1.8 ml (18.7), -1.9 ml (9.8), 3.7 ml (10.8), respectively, for the right ventricle. The mean difference between the LVM was 4.8 g (6.3). Conclusions. The real-time free-breathing SSFP sequence is useful for the quantification of ventricular mass and function. The correlation with conventional SSFP is excellent. Both sequences allow the cardiac parameters to be precisely quantified and the results are reproducible