Optimization of free-breathing whole-heart 3-dimensional cardiac magnetic resonance imaging at 3 tesla to identify coronary vein anatomy and to compare with multidetector computed tomography

Objective: This study optimizes use of 3-T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to delineate coronary venous anatomy and compares 3-TMRI with multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) measurements.

Methods: The study population included 37 consecutive subjects (22 men, 19-71 years old). Whole-heart contrast-enhanced MRI images at 3 Twere acquired using segmented k-space gradient echo with inversion recovery prepared technique. The MDCT images were obtained using nonionic iodinated contrast.

Results: The coronary sinus and great cardiac, posterior interventricular, and anterior interventricular veinswere visualized in 100%of cases by both MRI andMDCT. Detection of the posterior vein of the left ventricle and the left marginal vein by MRI was 97% and 81%, respectively. Bland-Altman plots showed agreement in ostial diameter measured by both modalities with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.5 to 0.76. Vein length and distances also agreed closely.

Conclusions: Free-breathing whole-heart 3-dimensionalMRI at 3 T provides high-spatial-resolution images and could offer an alternative imaging technique instead of MDCT scans.