Key result
Comprehensive training yields excellent interobserver agreement for fast-SENC CMR LV measures across varying experience levels.
Why the study?
CMR requires highly reproducible measurements in multicenter studies, but the effect of comprehensive initial training on the reproducibility of fast-SENC LV parameters was unestablished.
Does comprehensive initial training ensure high reproducibility of left ventricular measures using fast-SENC cardiac magnetic resonance imaging across observers?
Observational (n=30)
No
Does comprehensive initial training ensure high reproducibility of left ventricular measures using fast-SENC cardiac magnetic resonance imaging across observers?
Comprehensive initial training enables highly reproducible measurement of left ventricular volumetric and functional parameters using fast-SENC cardiac magnetic resonance imaging across observers with varying experience.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
May support standardized training for fast-SENC CMR reproducibility; leaves open prospective validation before clinical adoption.
Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is becoming the imaging modality of choice in multicenter studies where highly reproducible measurements are necessary. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of comprehensive initial training on reproducibility of quantitative left ventricular (LV) parameters estimated using strain-encoded (SENC) imaging. Thirty participants (10 patients with heart failure (HF) and preserved LV ejection fraction (HFpEF), 10 patients with HF and reduced LV ejection fraction (HFrEF) and 10 healthy volunteers) were examined using fast-SENC imaging. Four observers with different experience in non-invasive cardiac imaging completed comprehensive initial training course and were invited to perform CMR data analysis. To assess agreement between observers, LV volumes, mass, ejection fraction (LVEF), global longitudinal strain (GLS) and global circumferential strain (GCS) were estimated using dedicated software (MyoStrain, USA). To test intraobserver agreement data analysis was repeated after 4 weeks. SENC imaging and analysis were fast and were completed in less than 5 minutes. LV end-diastolic volume index (LVEDVi), LVEF and strain were significantly lower in HFpEF patients than in healthy volunteers (p = 0.019 for LVEDVi; p = 0.023 for LVEF; p = 0.004 for GLS and p < 0.001 for GCS). All LV functional parameters were further reduced in HFrEF. Excellent interobserver agreement was found for all LV parameters independently of the level of experience. The reproducibility of LV mass was lower, especially at the intraobserver level (ICC 0.91; 95% CI 0.74-0.96). LV volumetric and functional parameters derived using fast-SENC imaging, are highly reproducible. The appropriate initial training is relevant and allows to achieve highest concordance in fast-SENC measurements.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Lapinskas et al. (2019) conducted an observational in Heart failure (HFpEF, HFrEF) and healthy volunteers (n=30). Comprehensive initial training for fast-SENC CMR analysis vs. Different levels of prior imaging experience was evaluated on Intraobserver agreement for left ventricular mass index (ICC 0.91, 95% CI 0.74-0.96). Comprehensive initial training allowed observers with varying experience levels to achieve excellent interobserver agreement for fast-SENC CMR left ventricular measures, though intraobserver agreement for LV mass was slightly lower (ICC 0.91).
Synapse has enriched 10 related papers. Consider them for comparative context: