Right and left ventricular volume measurements in an animal heart model in vitro: first experiences with cardiac MRI at 1.0 T

The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy in quantifying right and left ventricular volumes using a 1.0-T system and commercially available, standard equipment. For exact comparison of MRI measurements and real volumes we used an animal heart model ex vivo. Eight pig hearts were explanted and prepared by removal of the atria. Aorta and pulmonary truncus were cannulated. Definable volumes were injected into the ventricles. Magnetic resonance imaging was performed at 1.0 T (Gyroscan T10 NT, Philips, Eindhoven, The Netherlands); sequence: fast field echo–echo planar (multishot EPI); body coil; MR software: Cardiac Application Package (Philips). Statistical analysis correlated the real volumes and MR measurements separately for both ventricles and two investigators (SAS, ANOVA). For both ventricles and both investigators the correlation between real volumes and MR measurements was greater than 0.99. There was no significant systematic false estimation for both ventricles. Magnetic resonance imaging at 1.0 T using standard hardware and software equipment enables the quantification of right and left ventricular volumes with high approximation to the real volumes in vitro. There is a clear restriction in translating these data into a clinical application because under experimental conditions no motion-induced artifacts existed. Received: 22 July 1999; Accepted: 27 August 1999