Left ventricular myocardial volumes measured during arterial and delayed phases of multidetector row computed...

To compare and correlate left ventricular (LV) myocardial volumes obtained using arterial and delayed phases of multidetector row computed tomography (CT) and evaluate their intra- and interobserver variation. Two observers evaluated the arterial- and delayed-phase serial short-axis images of 45 healthy volunteers. Intra- and interobserver variations in LV myocardial volumes were correlated with four factors-myocardial volume, contrast-volume-to-body-weight ratio, and contrast-to-noise ratios in the arterial and delayed phases. Variations in the apex, mid-ventricle, and base were compared. Intra- and interobserver analyzes revealed no statistical difference and good correlation. Intra- and interobserver variations were within 5 and 10%, respectively, and were independent of the four factors. Variations were the highest at the apex. LV myocardial volumes measured using arterial- and delayed-phase cardiac CT exhibit no significant difference and good correlation. Intra- and interobserver variations are both clinically acceptable, and the apex contributes most to these variations.