[A comparison between two investigator's difference of results of left ventricular parameters using echocardiography...

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Medical Physics
• Cardiology

Background:

• Echocardiography and Cardio Magnetic Resonance (MR) are key cardiology procedures for assessing cardiac morphology and function.
• Primary hypertension with cardiac hypertrophy necessitates reliable imaging techniques for accurate patient management.
• Evaluating inter-observer variability is crucial for determining the objectivity of diagnostic methods.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the compatibility and objectivity of morphological and functional results from echocardiography and Cardio MR.
• To assess inter-observer variability in left ventricular parameter measurements between the two imaging modalities.
• To determine which method provides more operator-independent results in patients with hypertensive cardiac hypertrophy.

Main Methods:

• 48 patients with hypertensive cardiac hypertrophy underwent both echocardiography (2.5 MHz transducer) and Cardio MR (1.5 T system).
• Two independent evaluations were performed for each imaging modality.
• Standardized software (MASS) was used for post-processing to assess identical left ventricular parameters (e.g., LVDd, LVSd, EDV, ESV, EF, LVM).

Main Results:

• Echocardiography showed statistically significant differences in measurements for multiple left ventricular parameters (LVDd, LVSd, LD, LS, EDV, ESV, EF, LVM) between examiners.
• Cardio MR demonstrated no statistically significant differences in measurements for any assessed left ventricular parameters between examiners.
• This indicates higher objectivity and reduced operator dependency with Cardio MR compared to echocardiography.

Conclusions:

• Cardio MR provides more consistent and objective measurements of left ventricular parameters than echocardiography in patients with hypertensive cardiac hypertrophy.
• The results suggest that Cardio MR is less dependent on the operator, enhancing its reliability in clinical practice.
• Cardio MR is a valuable tool for accurate cardiac assessment, particularly when objective and reproducible data are essential.