Assessment of left ventricular volumes using multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT): phantom and human studies

Multi-detector row CT (MDCT) is a new noninvasive modality for coronary artery imaging. Using the same MDCT data obtained for coronary artery assessment, left ventricular (LV) volumes such as end-diastolic (ED) and end-systolic (ES) volumes (EDV and ESV, respectively) and ejection fraction (EF) can potentially be assessed when ED and ES datasets are extracted. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of MDCT in the assessment of LV volumes.

Using a pulsating heart phantom (EDV = 143 ml, ESV = 107 ml, stroke volume = 36 ml, EF = 25%) and MDCT, EDV and ESV were measured and EF was calculated. Clinical materials consisted of 11 consecutive human subjects who underwent MDCT. MDCT data were acquired during a single breathhold, using an intravenous injection of contrast medium. Left ventriculography (LVG) was performed in all patients as a gold standard. LV-EF was calculated by measuring ESV and EDV in all patients.

In the phantom study, LV volumes were: EDV = 137 ml, ESV = 101 ml, stroke volume = 36 ml, and EF = 26%. Close correlations were observed between MDCT values and LVG values (EDV: r = 0.95, ESV: r = 0.98, EF: r = 0.93, p < 0.001).

MDCT was useful for th e assessment of LV volumes and EF in various patients with CVD.