Technical note: rapid measurement of left ventricular mass by spin echo magnetic resonance imaging

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging provides an accurate measurement of left ventricular mass but imaging time can be up to 45 min. We tested a more rapid multislice spin echo technique on 16 volunteers without evidence of heart disease. Multislice short axis spin echo images were acquired in up to three sets of five, clustered around end systole. Total imaging time was 15 min. Myocardial areas were summed and specific gravity was assumed. Comparison was made with multiple single acquisitions timed to end systole. There was good agreement between the two measurements of left ventricular mass. Mean (+/- standard deviation (sd), range) values were 212 g (+/- 41.71, 152 to 311) by the multislice method and 213 g (+/- 44.26, 155 to 317) by the single slice method. The mean difference (+/- sd of difference) between measurements was -1.72 +/- 14.89 g (95% confidence interval for limits of agreement was +/- 14%). We have therefore established a more rapid and accurate method of measuring left ventricular mass.