Cardiac MRI assessment of right ventricular function in acquired heart disease: factors of variability

To evaluate intra- and inter-observer variability of right ventricular (RV) functional parameters as evaluated by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with acquired heart disease (AHD), and to identify factors associated with an increased variability.

Sixty consecutive patients were enrolled. Right and left ventricular (LV) volumes, ejection fraction, and mass were determined from short-axis cine sequences. All analyzes were performed twice by three observers with various training-degree in cardiac MRI. Intra- and inter-observer variability was evaluated. The impact on variability of each of the following parameters was assessed: observer's experience, basal and apical slices selection, end-systolic phase selection, and delineation.

Mean segmentation time ranged 9.8-19.0 minutes for RV and 6.4-9.2 minutes for LV. Variability of RV functional parameters measurement was strongly influenced by previous observer's experience: it was two to three times superior to that of LV, even for the most experienced observer. High variability in the measurement of RV mass was observed. For both ventricles, selection of the basal slice and delineation were major determinants of variability.

As compared to LV, RV function assessment with cardiac MRI in AHD patients is much more variable and time-consuming. Observer's experience, selection of basal slice, and delineation are determinant.