Gilard Martine, Pennec Pierre-Yves, Cornily Jean-Christophe, Vinsonneau Ulric, Le Gal Gregoire, Nonent Michel, Mansourati Jacques, Boschat Jacques
Department of Cardiology, EA 3878, Brest University Hospital, Brest, France.
Eur J Radiol. 2006 Aug;59(2):270-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ejrad.2006.02.010. Epub 2006 Mar 27.
To evaluate the accuracy of left ventricular volumetric and functional parameters from multi-slice computed tomography using automated analysis software, and to correlate results with those of invasive left ventriculography.
In 145 consecutive patients (mean age, 61 years+/-12) known or suspected to have coronary artery disease, a 16-channel multi-slice computed tomography (Philips Mx8000 IDT 16) was performed using a standard technique. Using short-axis secondary multi-slice computed tomography reformations, we determined end-diastolic and end-systolic left ventricular volumes and ejection fraction with a commercially available analysis software capable of automated contour detection. Conventional left ventriculography was performed according to standard techniques within the following 24 h. Bland-Altman analysis was performed to calculate the limits of agreement and systematic errors between multi-slice computed tomography and conventional left ventriculography.
As determined by computer tomography, mean end-systolic (53+/-29 mL) left ventricular volumes had an acceptable correlation with conventional ventriculography (67+/-50 mL; r=0.74; p<0.001) and mean end-diastolic (119+/-33 mL) left ventricular volumes a poor correlation with conventional ventriculography measurements (154+/-69 mL; r=0.41). Left ventricular ejection fraction (57%+/-14 versus 55%+/-14 for conventional ventriculography; r=0.79) showed a very good correlation (p<0.001). Bland-Altman analysis showed acceptable limits of agreement (+/-9.2% for ejection fraction) without systematic errors.
The use of a multi-slice computed tomography with an automatic calculation software has a good correlation with conventional ventriculography findings and could accurately assess left ventricular function, but should not be used for ventricular volumes, because of biased estimations.
