Computed Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Can Replace Cardiac Catheterization for Measuring Ventricular Volume in Patients with Congenital Heart Disease

Abstract

Background: Measuring ventricular volume accurately is important. We attempted to estimate the feasibility of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for measuring ventricular volume in patients with congenital heart disease (CHD).

Methods: Four different cardiac models of CHD: hearts with atrial septal defects, ventricular septal defects, tetralogy of Fallot, and single left ventricle were used. Each model was created using a three-dimensional printer. The ventricular volume of each model was measured using cardiac catheterization (Cath), CT, and MRI.

Results: The mean percentages and standard deviations of ventricular volume that were measured with Cath, CT, and MRI were 94% (±11%), 137% (±8%), and 111% (±8%), respectively. The value of the CT group was significantly higher than that of the Cath and MRI groups (p<0.01). We also found that the variance of the measured values was small for MRI and CT. The corrected measured value of CT and MRI especially had less error than that of Cath (Cath: 103% [±16%], CT: 100% [±6%], MRI: 101% [±7%]).

Conclusions: CT and MRI may replace Cath to evaluate the ventricular volume of children and adults with CHD.