High temporal resolution breathheld 3D FIESTA CINE imaging: validation of ventricular function in patients with chronic myocardial infarction

PURPOSE: To develop a gated single-breathhold, high temporal resolution three-dimensional (3D) CINE imaging technique and to evaluate its accuracy in volumetric and functional quantification in patients with chronic myocardial infarction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 3D CINE steady-state free precession (SSFP) pulse sequence was developed incorporating variable temporal sampling of the low and high spatial frequency k-space data to reduce breathhold time and parallel imaging to increase temporal resolution. Reconstruction with retrospective interpolation enabled complete R-R interval coverage. Feasibility was assessed in eight patients with chronic myocardial infarction and ventricular functional values were compared to those of a 2D CINE acquisition. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the 3D CINE and 2D CINE for end-diastolic volume (168 +/- 73 vs. 177 +/- 59 mL, respectively; P < 0.27), end-systolic volume (81 +/- 62 vs. 79 +/- 53 mL; P < 0.81), and ejection fraction (EF) measurements (55 +/- 14% vs. 58 +/- 14%; P < 0.14). The mean difference in EF was less than 2.5%. A wall motion assessment indicated a good agreement, with a weighted kappa value of 0.62. CONCLUSION: High temporal resolution 3D CINE SSFP imaging of the whole heart can be obtained in a single breathhold and yield ventricular function measurements similar to 2D CINE methods.