Left Ventricular Function Evaluation on a 3T MR Scanner with Parallel RF Transmission Technique: Prospective Comparison of Cine Sequences Acquired before and after Gadolinium Injection

Abstract

ObjectivesTo compare cine MR b-TFE sequences acquired before and after gadolinium injection, on a 3T scanner with a parallel RF transmission technique in order to potentially improve scanning time efficiency when evaluating LV function.Methods25 consecutive patients scheduled for a cardiac MRI were prospectively included and had their b-TFE cine sequences acquired before and right after gadobutrol injection. Images were assessed qualitatively (overall image quality, LV edge sharpness, artifacts and LV wall motion) and quantitatively with measurement of LVEF, LV mass, and telediastolic volume and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between the myocardium and the cardiac chamber. Statistical analysis was conducted using a Bayesian paradigm.ResultsNo difference was found before or after injection for the LVEF, LV mass and telediastolic volume evaluations. Overall image quality and CNR were significantly lower after injection (estimated coefficient cine after > cine before gadolinium: -1.75 CI = [-3.78;-0.0305], prob(coef>0) = 0% and -0.23 CI = [-0.49;0.04], prob(coef>0) = 4%) respectively), but this decrease did not affect the visual assessment of LV wall motion (cine after > cine before gadolinium: -1.46 CI = [-4.72;1.13], prob(coef>0) = 15%).ConclusionsIn 3T cardiac MRI acquired with parallel RF transmission technique, qualitative and quantitative assessment of LV function can reliably be performed with cine sequences acquired after gadolinium injection, despite a significant decrease in the CNR and the overall image quality.

Effects of contrast administration on cardiac MRI volumetric, flow and pulse wave velocity quantification using manual and software-based analysis

“…Conversely, Caspar et al purported no differences between pre- and post-contrast analysis. 17 These incongruous findings may be due in part to differences in timing from contrast administration to commencement of imaging sequencing with the previous study acquiring their images immediately following the injection of contrast, which would include the early phases where there is significant alterations in contrast between the arterial, venous and myocardial compartments, while in the current study, we waited 2 min to achieve a more steady signal state within the myocardial chambers and myocardium. Different results may also have resulted from differing techniques in myocardial and blood pool segmentation, however, the method for the quantification of the mass and volumes in this previous study were not reported, thus comparison on this front is not possible.…”

“…16 A literature search on the effects of contrast agents yielded conflicting results with some studies showing no changes in ventricular parameters before and after contrast administration while others reported a significant impact up on left ventricular (LV) quantification. 17–19 In light of the small cohorts and the lack of right ventricular (RV) analysis within said studies, the validity of comparing values obtained after the administration of gadolinium-based contrast agents with non-contrast sequences is potentially questionable.…”