Compressed sensing real-time cine imaging for assessment of ventricular function, volumes and mass in clinical practice

Objectives This study was conducted in order to evaluate the accuracy of a compressed sensing (CS) real-time single-breath-hold cine sequence for the assessment of left and right ventricular functional parameters in daily practice. Methods Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) cine images were acquired from 100 consecutive patients using both the reference segmented multi-breath-hold steady-state free precession (SSFP) acquisition and a prototype single-breath-hold real-time CS sequence, providing the same slice number, position, and thickness. For both sequences, the left (LV) and right ventricular (RV) ejection fractions (EF) and end-diastolic volumes (EDV) were assessed as well as LV mass (LVM). The visualization of wall-motion disorders (WMD) and signal void related to mitral or tricuspid regurgitation was also analyzed. Results The CS sequence mean scan time was 23 +/- 6 versus 510 +/- 109 s for the multi-breath-hold SSFP sequence (p < 0.001). There was an excellent correlation between the two sequences regarding mean LVEF (r = 0.995), LVEDV (r = 0.997), LVM (r = 0.981), RVEF (r = 0.979), and RVEDV (r = 0.983). Moreover, inter- and intraobserver agreements were very strong with intraclass correlations of 0.96 and 0.99, respectively. On CS images, mitral or tricuspid regurgitation visualization was good (AUC = 0.85 and 0.81, respectively; ROC curve analysis) and wall-motion disorder visualization was excellent (AUC >= 0.97). Conclusion CS real-time single-breath-hold cine imaging reduces CMR scan duration by almost 20 times in daily practice while providing reliable measurements of both left and right ventricles. There was no clinically relevant information loss regarding valve regurgitation and wall-motion disorder depiction. Key Points Compressed sensing single-breath-hold real-time cine imaging is a reliable sequence in daily practice. Fast CS real-time imaging reduces CMR scan time and improves patient workflow. There is no clinically relevant information loss with CS regarding heart valve regurgitation or wall-motion disorders.