Quantification of left ventricular infarcted mass on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging: comparison between planimetry and the semiquantitative visual scoring method.

OBJECTIVE: To compare a new semiquantitative visual scoring method with quantitative digital planimetry for determining left ventricular infarcted mass by use of cardiac delayed contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. METHOD: Seventy-seven patients with previous myocardial infarction underwent delayed contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging using a 1.5T device for assessing myocardial viability and calculating the infarcted mass. Cine magnetic resonance imaging was used for assessing left ventricular function with the Simpson method. The infarcted mass was calculated on the delayed contrast-enhanced images according to the following 2 methods: planimetry and the scoring method. Simple linear regression and correlation and agreement between the methods and observers according to the Bland-Altman plot were used. RESULTS: The infarcted areas in all 77 patients were detected by use of cardiac delayed contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging. The size of the infarction measured by planimetry was similar to that obtained with the scoring method, with a mean difference between measurements of only 1.03% of the left ventricular mass. Inter- (0.41%) and intraobserver (0.34%) variabilities indicated an excellent reproducibility of the scoring method. Infarcted mass showed a good correlation with ejection fraction and indexed end-diastolic and end-systolic volumes, r=-0.76, r=0.63, and r=0.67, respectively. CONCLUSION: In patients with previous myocardial infarction, delayed-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging provides accurate infarct size quantification by planimetry and by semiquantitative score.

Quantificação da massa infartada do ventrículo esquerdo pela ressonância magnética cardíaca: comparação entre a planimetria e o método de escore visual semi-quantitativo / Quantification of left ventricular infarcted mass on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging: comparison between planimetry and the semiquantitative visual scoring method

OBJETIVO: Validar um novo método de escore visual semi-quantitativo contra a planimetria digital quantitativa para a determinação da massa infartada do ventrículo esquerdo pela ressonância magnética cardíaca com técnica de realce tardio. MÉTODO: Estudados 77 pacientes com infarto miocárdico prévio em aparelho de ressonância magnética de 1,5T utilizando técnica de realce tardio para avaliação da viabilidade miocárdica e cálculo da massa infartada. Para avaliação da função ventricular esquerda pelo método de Simpson utilizamos técnica de cine-ressonância. O cálculo da massa infartada foi realizado nas imagens de realce tardio de duas formas: planimetria e método de escore. Utilizamos métodos de regressão linear simples, correlação e concordância entre métodos e observadores segundo a análise de Bland-Altman. RESULTADOS: Em todos os 77 pacientes as áreas de infarto foram detectadas pela ressonância magnética cardíaca utilizando a técnica de realce tardio. O tamanho do infarto medido pela planimetria foi semelhante ao obtido pelo método de escore, com a média das diferenças entres as medidas de apenas 1,03 por cento da massa do ventrículo esquerdo. As variabilidades inter (0,41 por cento) e intra-observador (0,34 por cento) evidenciaram excelente reprodutibilidade do método de escore. A massa infartada apresentou boa correlação com a fração de ejeção e volumes distólico e sistólico finais indexados, r=-0,76, r=0,63 e r=0,67, respectivamente. CONCLUSAO: A avaliação de pacientes com infarto agudo do miocárdio prévio pela ressonância magnética cardíaca, utilizando a técnica de realce tardio, permite a determinação reprodutível do tamanho do infarto, tanto pelo método de planimetria, quanto pelo modelo semi-quantitativo de escore.

Valve Resistance in Mitral Stenosis: Its Determinants and its Role in the Evaluation of the Disease.

To evaluate the value and the determinants of valve resistance in mitral stenosis, 95 patients with pure mitral stenosis were examined by Doppler echocardiography during their clinical follow-up, measuring cavity dimensions, left ventricular function, mitral area (by planimetry and pressure half time), mean transmitral pressure gradient, aortic flow, and pulmonary artery systolic pressure. The mitral resistance was calculated as mean transmitral pressure gradient/aortic flow ratio. To graduate the severity of the morphological abnormalities in valvular structure, we used a point score system with evaluation of leaflet and subvalvular thickness, calcification, and valvular mobility. The functional class was determined according to NYHA classification. In this study, both mitral area (r = -0.79, P < 0.001 and r(p) = -0.60, P < 0.001) and mitral score (r = 0.68, P < 0.001 and r(p) = 0.25, P = 0.013) were independent determinants of mitral resistance. In multivariate analysis, mitral resistance and female gender were selected by multiple linear regression analysis as determinants of pulmonary artery systolic pressure, and mitral area and pulmonary artery systolic pressure were selected by logistic linear regression analysis as determinants of NYHA functional class. In patients with moderate or severe mitral stenosis, the estimated probability for III and IV NYHA functional class considering mitral area 1 cm(2) or below went from 51.1-86.4% when mitral resistance below or above 130 dynes.sec.cm(-5), respectively, was considered together. Thus, mitral valve resistance should be used as a complement to the mitral area method in assessment of mitral stenosis, adding the effects of the reduction in mitral area and the damage in mitral valve apparatus.

Correlaçäo entre os achados da ecocardiografia bidimensional e a cineventriculografia esquerda na lesäo apical do ventrículo esquerdo na cardiopatia chagásica crônica / Correlation between bidimensional echocardiography and left cineventriculographic findings in the apical lesion of the left ventricle in chronic Chagas' cardiopathy

Foram estudados no HUPE-UERJ 20 pacientes portadores de cardiopatia chagásica crônica, com lesäo apical, a fim de correlacionar os achados da cineventriculografia esquerda com os da ecocardiografia bidimensional. Eram 15 mulheres e 5 homens, com idades variando entre 19 e 56 anos, nos quais a cineventriculografia revelou lesäo de ponta com aspecto de mamilo em 4 (20%), dedo de luva em 11 (55%), raquete de tênis em 2 (10%) e semilunar em 3 (15%). O ecocardiograma bidimensional demostrou presença de lesäo apical em 18 pacientes. Os dois casos considerados falsos negativos apresentavam na cineventriculografia lesäo mínima com aspecto de mamilo. A ecocardiografia bidimensional mostrou ser método de alta eficácia na evidenciaçäo do envolvimento da ponta na cardiopatia chagásica crônica (90%), permitindo análise do aspecto anátomo-funcioanl da regiäo apical. A posiçäo subxifóide foi a mais sensível para demonstrar este acometimento