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Updated: Jul 20, 2026
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Registered Bioimaging of Nanomaterials for Diagnostic and Therapeutic Monitoring
Published on: December 9, 2010
Quantitative magnetic resonance first-pass perfusion analysis: inter- and intraobserver agreement
O M Mühling1, M E Dickson, A Zenovich
1Department of Radiology, MR-Core Laboratory, Center of Magnetic Resonance Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, USA.
Summary
Magnetic resonance first-pass (MRFP) imaging shows good intraobserver agreement for myocardial perfusion quantification. Interobserver agreement is fair but improves significantly with good image quality, especially in anteroseptal regions.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Medical Physics
- Radiology
Background:
- Magnetic resonance first-pass (MRFP) imaging is a promising technique for quantifying myocardial perfusion.
- Longitudinal clinical trials are needed to establish MRFP's role in patient management.
- Assessing the reliability of MRFP analysis is crucial before widespread clinical adoption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the inter- and intraobserver agreement of quantitative myocardial perfusion analysis using MRFP imaging.
- To determine the impact of image quality on the reliability of MRFP measurements.
- To identify specific myocardial regions where agreement is most affected by image quality.
Main Methods:
- Seventeen MRFP studies (14 rest, 3 hyperemia) from 14 patients were analyzed.
- Two independent observers assessed image quality and analyzed signal intensity curves.
- Quantitative parameters, maximum amplitude of the impulse response function (Rmax) and change of signal intensity (deltaSImax), were measured.
- Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were calculated to assess agreement.
Main Results:
- Good intraobserver agreement was observed for both Rmax (ICC=0.85) and deltaSImax (ICC=0.80).
- Initial interobserver agreement for Rmax was fair (ICC=0.55), but improved to good (ICC=0.88) after excluding poor-quality studies.
- Interobserver agreement for deltaSImax was good (ICC=0.73) and improved to (ICC=0.83) with better image quality.
- Agreement was most variable in lateral and posterior regions, correlating with lower signal-to-noise ratios.
Conclusions:
- MRFP imaging demonstrates reliable intraobserver agreement for myocardial perfusion quantification.
- Interobserver agreement is acceptable, particularly when focusing on studies with good image quality.
- Image quality significantly influences interobserver agreement, with lower signal-to-noise ratios in certain regions impacting results.
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