Sparse 3D contrast-enhanced whole-heart imaging for coronary artery evaluation

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Background:

• Investigating the feasibility of contrast-enhanced (CE) self-navigated sparse isotropic 3D whole heart T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for coronary artery evaluation.
• Assessing the potential of novel MRI sequences in non-invasive cardiac diagnostics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the feasibility and image quality of a specific CE 3D whole-heart T1-weighted MRI sequence for coronary artery assessment.
• To evaluate inter-reader variability in assessing the image quality of coronary arteries using this MRI technique.

Main Methods:

• 22 patients underwent cardiac MRI using a CE self-navigated sparse isotropic 3D whole-heart T1-weighted sequence, alongside conventional coronary angiography and/or CT.
• Image quality was assessed using a 3-point Likert scale by multiple readers.
• Inter-reader agreement was quantified using Cohen's kappa for major coronary segments (left main trunk, left anterior descending, left circumflex, right coronary artery).

Main Results:

• Substantial to perfect inter-reader agreement was observed for image quality (Cohen's kappa 0.722–1.0).
• The left main trunk demonstrated the highest image quality.
• Proximal segments of the right coronary artery showed significantly better image quality than mid/distal segments (p < 0.05).
• Mean acquisition time was 553 ± 46 seconds.

Conclusions:

• The sparse 3D whole-heart MRI sequence is feasible for coronary imaging within a practical timeframe.
• Good overall image quality was achieved, though distal segments and the left circumflex artery showed limitations.
• This technique shows promise for non-invasive coronary artery evaluation.