Steady-state free precession imaging (BFFE) yielded significantly higher ventricular volumes and lower ejection fraction compared to TFE (P < 0.0001), while reducing observer variability.
Cross-Sectional (n=41)
Does steady-state free precession imaging (BFFE) improve observer agreement and automatic contour detection compared to segmented k-space gradient-echo acquisition (TFE) in cardiac MRI?
BFFE improves image quality and reduces observer-dependence for LV volumetric measurements compared to TFE, but yields significantly different absolute values that must be accounted for in clinical practice.
p-value: p=< 0.0001
Steady-state free precession imaging is a promising technique for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as it provides improved blood/myocardial contrast in shorter acquisition times compared with conventional gradient-echo acquisition. The better contrast could improve observer agreement and automatic detection of cardiac contours for volumetric assessment of the ventricles, but measurements might differ from those obtained using conventional methods. We compared volumetric measurements, observer variabilities, and automatic contour detection between a steady-state free precession imaging sequence (BFFE = balanced fast field echo) and segmented k-space gradient-echo acquisition (TFE = turbo field echo) in 41 subjects. With BFFE, significantly higher end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes and lower wall thickness, ventricular mass, ejection fraction, and wall motion were observed (P < 0.0001), while interobserver variabilities were lower and automatic contour detection of endocardial contours was more successful. We conclude that the improved image quality of BFFE reduces the observer-dependence of volumetric measurements of the left ventricle (LV) but results in significantly different values in comparison to TFE measurements.
Plein et al. (Thu,) conducted a cross-sectional in Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (n=41). Steady-state free precession imaging sequence (BFFE) vs. Segmented k-space gradient-echo acquisition (TFE) was evaluated on Volumetric measurements, observer variabilities, and automatic contour detection (p=< 0.0001). Steady-state free precession imaging (BFFE) yielded significantly higher ventricular volumes and lower ejection fraction compared to TFE (P < 0.0001), while reducing observer variability.