Comparison of the detection of subtle changes in myocardial regional systolic function using qualitative and semi-quantitative techniques

Purpose: To evaluate qualitative wall motion assessment vs. quantitative wall thickening for the assessment of subtle changes in myocardial systolic function using cine MRI. Methods: Cine MR images were obtained in 5 canines with a significant coronary artery stenosis and in 2 controls on a 1.5T scanner. Qualitative results were obtained using a numerical scoring system; quantitative analysis was performed using a semi-automatic segmentation program. The techniques were matched and compared using Spearman correlations. Results: All correlations in the experimental group revealed significant but weak to moderate relationships between the qualitative and quantitative results (e.g., at-risk tissue rho = 0.363, p < 0.0001; remote tissue rho = 0.275, p = 0.0002), with each identifying changes in regional function that ensued following creation of the stenosis. Intra-observer variability was reasonable in both methods when repeat analysis on a subset of the data was performed, with both techniques showing a significant correlation between the repeated measurements ( quantitative - rho = 0.52, p < 0.0001; qualitative - rho= 0.54, p< 0.0001). Conclusion: Both methods were able to detect very limited wall motion abnormalities present in the canines with significant stenosis and either method gives comparable results.