PURPOSE

To compare multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) and two-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography (2DE) for left ventricular ejection fraction (EF); and to make comparison between reconstructions of 1-mm and 2-mm slice thickness at MDCT in left ventricular analysis by using a semiautomated segmentation algorithm.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 43 patients global left ventricular systolic function was assessed by using both MDCT and 2DE. Functional MDCT data sets were reconstructed in 20 cardiac phases (0–95%) with both 1-mm and 2-mm slice thickness.With semi-automatic left ventricle segmentation, end-diastolic volume (EDV), endsystolic volume (ESV) and EF were calculated seperately for both 1-mm and 2-mm reconstructions.

RESULTS

On MDCT with 1-mm slice thickness, mean EF was 66.8 ± 5.6 %, mean EDV was 133.7 ± 38.9 mL, and mean ESV was 45.1 ± 17.9 mL, these values for 2-mm slice thickness were 66.2 ± 5.6 %, 133.5 ± 39.6 mL, and 45.9 ± 18.3 mL, respectively. On 2DE, mean EF was 66.7 ± 5.7 %, mean EDV was 98.7 ± 42.1 mL, and mean ESV was 33.6 ± 18.7 mL. There was no difference between EF values calculated with 1-mm and 2-mm reconstructions and 2DE (P = 0.83 and P = 0.3705, respectively). However, EDV and ESV values calculated by MDCT were significantly higher than those obtained by 2DE (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

There was a good correlation between MDCT and 2DE in the evaluation of left ventricular EF. At MDCT left ventricular ESV was statistically smaller, EF was statistically greater by using 1-mm rather than 2-mm slice thickness. However, these differences are not clinically relevant.

Keywords: tomography, x-ray computed , echocardiography , ventricular ejection fraction