Reproducibility of 4D Flow MRI-Derived Diastolic Function Testing by Mitral and Pulmonary Venous Flow Indices in Healthy Volunteers

Applied Sciences, vol. 16, pp. 3930

Abstract

Accurate assessment of mitral valve (MV) and pulmonary vein (PV) flow velocities is important for left ventricular diastolic function testing. This study investigated the scan–rescan reproducibility of 4D Flow MRI-assessed MV and PV flow velocities in 21 healthy volunteers (25 ± 4 years). Participants underwent repeated whole-heart 3T 4D Flow MRI involving repositioning and different respiratory compensation strategies (motion-uncompensated free-breathing vs. respiratory motion-compensated navigator gating). MV parameters (net flow volume (NFV), E-wave velocity, A-wave velocity, E/A ratio, E deceleration time (DT), annular e’ velocity, E/e’ ratio) and PV parameters (NFV, S-wave velocity, D-wave velocity, S/D ratio, atrial reversal (AR) wave velocity) were derived from velocity–time curves and compared using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs), Bland–Altman analysis, and Pearson’s correlation (r). Results showed significant moderate-to-strong scan–rescan agreement and correlation for most MV and PV parameters (ICC = 0.51–0.92; r = 0.51–0.92; all p < 0.05), except E DT, e’ velocity, E/e’ ratio, PV NFV, and AR velocity (ICC = −0.13–0.47; r = −0.14–0.47). Subanalysis of respiratory motion strategies showed moderate-to-strong agreement and correlation for MV and PV parameters (ICC = 0.61–0.99; r = 0.52–0.99; all p < 0.05 excluding E DT), except E DT (ICC = 0.44) and PV NFV (ICC = 0.46; r = 0.46). While intraobserver agreement was mostly moderate-to-excellent (ICC = 0.58–0.97; ICC = 0.41 for E DT), interobserver agreement was poor for E DT and PV parameters (ICC = −0.12–0.34). Overall, 4D Flow MRI shows acceptable reproducibility for selected diastolic flow parameters, particularly mitral inflow indices, but substantial variability and limited robustness for key indices currently restrict its clinical applicability.

Authors 6

1. Thomas in de Braekt Aachen Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center

   Leiden University Medical Center · Catharina Ziekenhuis

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Radiology, Catharina Hospital Eindhoven, 5623 EJ Eindhoven, The Netherlands

   Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands

2. Paul R. Roos Aachen Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands

3. Patrick Houthuizen

   Catharina Ziekenhuis

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Cardiology, Catharina Hospital Eindhoven, 5623 EJ Eindhoven, The Netherlands

4. Harrie C. M. van den Bosch

   Catharina Ziekenhuis

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Radiology, Catharina Hospital Eindhoven, 5623 EJ Eindhoven, The Netherlands

5. Hildo J. Lamb Aachen Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands

6. Jos J.M. Westenberg corresponding Aachen Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center

   Leiden University Medical Center

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, 2333 ZA Leiden, The Netherlands