Comparing Strain Assessment in Compressed Sensing and Conventional Cine MRI

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Imaging
• Medical Physics
• Biomedical Engineering

Background:

• Conventional segmented cine (Seg) cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is time-consuming for evaluating left ventricular (LV) function.
• Compressed Sensing (CS) offers potential for accelerated CMR acquisition.
• Feature Tracking (FT) is a common method for quantifying LV function and strain from CMR images.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the feasibility of CS acceleration methods against conventional Seg CMR for LV function and strain assessment using FT.
• To determine the optimal CS acceleration factor for maintaining diagnostic accuracy and image quality.

Main Methods:

• Prospective study involving 45 healthy volunteers.
• CMR imaging performed using Seg, CS with threefold (CS3), fourfold (CS4), and eightfold (CS8) acceleration.
• Quantification of LV volumetric, functional parameters, and global longitudinal (GLS), circumferential (GCS), and radial strains (GRS) using FT.
• Image quality scoring (1-5 scale).

Main Results:

• No significant differences in LV volumetric and functional parameters between Seg and all CS methods (P > 0.05).
• Strains (GLS, GCS, GRS) were similar for Seg, CS3, and CS4 (P > 0.05).
• CS8 showed no difference in GRS and GCS but a significant reduction in GLS (P < 0.001) compared to Seg.
• Image quality declined with increasing CS acceleration, particularly in long-axis views with CS8.

Conclusions:

• CS cine MRI at a fourfold acceleration factor (CS4) maintains good image quality and accurate LV function and strain measurements.
• CS acceleration up to fourfold is feasible for rapid CMR evaluations and suitable for clinical use.
• Eightfold CS acceleration (CS8) may compromise GLS accuracy and image quality, especially in long-axis views.