'Image-navigated 3-dimensional late gadolinium enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging: feasibility and...

Image-navigated 3-dimensional late gadolinium enhancement (iNAV-3D LGE) is an advanced imaging technique that allows for direct respiratory motion correction of the heart. Its feasibility in a routine clinical setting has not been validated.

Twenty-three consecutive patients referred for cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) examination including late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging were prospectively enrolled. Image-navigated free-breathing 3-dimensional (3D) T1-weighted gradient-echo LGE and two-dimensional (2D LGE) images were acquired in random order on a 1.5 T CMR system. Images were assessed for global, segmental LGE detection and transmural extent. Objective image quality including signal-to-noise (SNR), contrast-to-noise (CNR) and myocardial/blood sharpness were performed.

Interpretable images were obtained in all 2D-LGE and in 22/23 iNAV-3D LGE exams, resulting in a total of 22 datasets and 352 segments. LGE was detected in 5 patients with ischemic pattern, in 7 with non-ischemic pattern, while it was absent in 10 cases. There was an excellent agreement between 2D and 3D data sets with regard to global, segmental LGE detection and transmurality. Blood-myocardium sharpness measurements were also comparable between the two techniques. SNR_blood and CNR_blood-myo was significantly higher for 2D LGE (P < 0.001, respectively), while SNR_myo was not statistically significant between 2D LGE and iNAV-3D LGE.

Diagnostic performance of iNAV-3D LGE was comparable to 2D LGE in a prospective clinical setting. SNR_blood and CNR_blood-myo was significantly lower in the iNAV-3D LGE group.