Measuring Left Ventricular Size in Non-Electrocardiographic-gated Chest Computed Tomography: What Radiologists Should...

Area of Science:

• Radiology
• Cardiology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Non-electrocardiographic (ECG)-gated computed tomography (CT) of the chest is a frequent imaging examination.
• Cardiac findings, including left ventricular size, are often underreported in radiology reports.
• Left ventricular size is a crucial prognostic indicator in various cardiac conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evidence on measuring left ventricular size using non-ECG-gated chest CT.
• To highlight measurement thresholds, technical issues, and potential pitfalls.
• To provide practical recommendations for accurate left ventricular size assessment.

Main Methods:

• Review of available scientific literature on left ventricular size measurements on non-ECG-gated chest CT.
• Analysis of technical considerations and potential challenges in measurement acquisition.
• Synthesis of data to formulate practical recommendations.

Main Results:

• Left ventricular size can be reliably measured on most non-ECG-gated multidetector chest CT studies.
• Specific measurement techniques and thresholds are discussed.
• Common technical issues and their impact on accuracy are identified.

Conclusions:

• Non-ECG-gated chest CT provides valuable data for assessing left ventricular size.
• Awareness of measurement techniques and potential pitfalls can improve reporting accuracy.
• Standardized approaches are recommended for consistent cardiac assessment.