Signa excite twinspeed

The CMR investigations were performed with an eight-channel cardiac coil by means of a 1.5 T system (Signa Excite TwinSpeed, General Electric Healthcare, Waukesha, WI, USA) during vector-electrocardiographic monitoring. The image protocol included scouting images, localization of the short axis, and then covering the whole LV with retrospectively gated cine steady-state free precession (SSFP) images. Around 10 to 12 short-axis views and 2-, 3-, and 4-chamber views were obtained. Typical parameters for CMR were as follows: SSFP (echo time 1.58 ms, repetition time 3.61 ms, flip angle 60°, 25 phases, 8-mm slice, no gap, matrix 226 × 226). Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging images were analyzed offline using freely available segmentation software (Segment V.1.8 R0857).^{25 (link)} In the short-axis images, EDV and ESV were measured in the phase that had the largest and smallest LV volumes, respectively. The LV outflow tract, papillary muscles, and trabeculations were included in the LV volume. All measurements were made by an experienced investigator (P.S.), who was blinded to the echocardiographic data.

The CMR studies were performed using a 1.5 Tesla CMR system (Signa Excite Twin Speed, General Electric Healthcare, Waukesha, WI, USA) and a phased-array radiofrequency receiver (8-channel) cardiac coil. ECG-gated images were acquired during end-expiratory breath holding. The image protocol included scout images, localization of the short axis and then coverage of the whole LV with retrospectively gated cine steady-state free precession images. Ten to 12 short-axis views and 2-, 3- and 4-chamber views were obtained. The following scanner parameters were used: echo time (TE) 1.58 ms, repetition time (TR) 3.61 ms, flip angle 60°, 25 phases, 8-mm slice, matrix 226 × 226. All CMR images were analysed offline using semi-automatic freely available segmentation software (Segment V.1.8 R1405).21) (link) In the short-axis images, end-systolic volume (ESV) and end-diastolic volume (EDV) were measured in the phase that had the largest and smallest LV volumes, respectively. The LVOT, papillary muscles and trabeculations were included in the LV. The basal short axis slice was identified by simultaneously observing long axis views of the LV while performing the tracings, specifically the three chamber view where the LVOT is visible.