Kai Nassenstein, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Holger Eberle, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Christoph Jensen, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Oliver Bruder, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Thomas W. Schlosser MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

4D Guide-Point Modeling (ARGUS 4D, Siemens Medical Solutions, Germany) relies on a mathematic model of the left ventricle (LV) that is fitted to a relatively small number of guide points provided by the user. Since no tracing of the endo- and epicardial borders is necessary, this approach reduces the post-processing time necessary to calculate the LV volumes. Our study aimed to validate ARGUS 4D in patients with regional wall motion abnormalities.

26 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction (18 male, mean age 60±13 years) were examined on a 1.5 Tesla MRI scanner (Avanto, Siemens, Germany). Contiguous short-axes cine steady state free precession images (TR 3ms, TE 1.5 ms, FA 60°, slice thickness l 5mm) covering the entire LV were acquired, and analyzed by the standard disc summation method (ARGUS) to assess LV volumes. Additionally, two long axis and four short axis cine SSFP images were acquired in a single breath-hold using a TPAT accelerated SSFP sequence (TE 1.12 ms, TR 45.73 ms, FA 78°), and the resulting cine images were used for 4D Guide-Point modeling analysis of the LV volumes.

Results of 4D Guide-Point Modeling analysis were not statistically significantly different to manual tracing for the assessment of end-diastolic (end-diastolic volume: 179.1 ± 57.0 ml vs. 186.0 ± 54.4 ml ; end-systolic volume: 100.5 ± 51.1 ml vs. 103.9 ± 48.6 ml; ejection-fraction: 45.8 ± 12.2 % vs. 45.8 ± 11.9 %, LV muscle-mass: 182.0 ± 72.2 g vs. 170.1 ± 32.7 g; p>0.05 for all variables). 4D Guide-Point Modeling analysis was significantly faster as compared to the standard procedure, saving 142.1 ± 121.4 seconds (p <0.01).

Despite wall motion abnormalities, 4D Guide-Point Modeling yields results for LV volumes that are in excellent accordance with standard LVF analysis results in these patients.

4D Guide-Point Modeling allows fast assessment of LV volumes even in patients with regional wall motion abnormalities.

Nassenstein, K, Eberle, H, Jensen, C, Bruder, O, Schlosser, T, Four Dimensional Guide-Point Modeling Analyses (ARGUS 4D) of Left Ventricular Volumes and Function in Patients with Regional Wall Motion Abnormalities: Is it valid?.  Radiological Society of North America 2009 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 29 - December 4, 2009 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2009/8004323.html