High inter- and intra-observer agreement in mapping sequences compared to classical Lake Louise Criteria assessment of myocarditis by inexperienced observers.

Clinical Radiology
M T A WetscherekC Lücke

Abstract

To investigate the observer agreement for the assessment of chronic myocarditis by native T1 and T2 relaxation times, post-contrast T1 relaxation time, and extracellular volume (ECV) fraction, compared to Lake Louise Criteria: oedema ratio (OR) and early gadolinium enhancement ratio (EGEr). Data were collected retrospectively on 71 consecutive patients who underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging as part of a complete diagnostic work-up according to current guidelines for suspected myocarditis. Thirteen cases were excluded due to previous myocardial infarction or technical issues. To test for intra- and interobserver agreement, the determination of the myocardial native T1 and T2 relaxation times, post-contrast T1 relaxation time, ECV, OR and EGEr was undertaken by two medical school graduates after comprehensive training. Bland-Altman analysis and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were assessed. The final analysis included 27 patients with chronic myocarditis, 21 patients with dilated cardiomyopathy and/or hypertensive heart disease, and 10 patients with unremarkable investigations in the control group. Excellent interobserver agreement was obtained for native T1 and T2 relaxation times, post-contrast T1 relaxation ...Continue Reading

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