Quantitative first pass perfusion in cardiovascular magnetic resonance for determination of peak ventricular transit time--a technique for evaluation of heart function

Background: The aim of this study was to determine peak ventricular transit time (PVTT) using cardiac magnetic resonance (cMRI) imaging with first-pass perfusion and to evaluate PVTT as a potential new predictor of cardiac failure.

Methods and results: cMRI was performed on 150 patients. The PVTT between the right and left ventricle was measured. Patients were divided into three groups based on their pump function: (1) severely reduced pump function (left ventricular ejection fraction, LVEF<30%), (2) moderately reduced pump function (left ventricular ejection fraction, LVEF 30-54%), and (3) normal pump function (LVEF>55%). PVTT from the right to left ventricle was significantly prolonged in patients with a reduced LVEF compared to the group with a normal pump function. The longest PVTT (13.4±4.8 s) was measured in patients with a severely reduced pump function, prolonged PVTT was also found in the group with moderately reduced pump function (8.5±2.1 s). The shortest PVTT (6.3±1.8 s) was observed in the group with a normal pump function. Additionally, a highly significant negative correlation was revealed between PVTT and LVEF (r=-0.696, p<0.01). PVTT presented a positive significant correlation to end diastolic volume (EDV, r=0.572, p<0.01) and to end systolic volume (ESV, r=0.666, p<0.01).

Conclusion: Peak ventricular transit times measured by cMRI may be an additional and simple tool to evaluate cardiac function in patients, independent of the other common cardiac functional parameters.