Comparison of DeepStrain and Feature Tracking for Cardiac MRI Strain Analysis

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2023 May;57(5):1507-1515. doi: 10.1002/jmri.28374. Epub 2022 Jul 28.

Abstract

Background: Myocardial feature tracking (FT) provides a comprehensive analysis of myocardial deformation from cine balanced steady-state free-precession images (bSSFP). However, FT remains time-consuming, precluding its clinical adoption.

Purpose: To compare left-ventricular global radial strain (GRS) and global circumferential strain (GCS) values measured using automated DeepStrain analysis of short-axis cine images to those calculated using manual commercially available FT analysis.

Study type: Retrospective, single-center.

Population: A total of 30 healthy subjects and 120 patients with cardiac disease for DeepStrain development. For evaluation, 47 healthy subjects (36 male, 53 ± 5 years) and 533 patients who had undergone a clinical cardiac MRI (373 male, 59 ± 14 years). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: bSSFP sequence at 1.5 T (Phillips) and 3 T (Siemens).

Assessment: Automated DeepStrain measurements of GRS and GCS were compared to commercially available FT (Circle, cvi42) measures obtained by readers with 1 year and 3 years of experience. Comparisons were performed overall and stratified by scanner manufacturer.

Statistical tests: Paired t-test, linear regression slope, Pearson correlation coefficient (r).

Results: Overall, FT and DeepStrain measurements of GCS were not significantly different (P = 0.207), but measures of GRS were significantly different. Measurements of GRS from Philips (slope = 1.06 [1.03 1.08], r = 0.85) and Siemens (slope = 1.04 [0.99 1.09], r = 0.83) data showed a very strong correlation and agreement between techniques. Measurements of GCS from Philips (slope = 0.98 [0.98 1.01], r = 0.91) and Siemens (slope = 1.0 [0.96 1.03], r = 0.88) data similarly showed a very strong correlation. The average analysis time per subject was 4.1 ± 1.2 minutes for FT and 34.7 ± 3.3 seconds for DeepStrain, representing a 7-fold reduction in analysis time.

Data conclusion: This study demonstrated high correlation of myocardial GCS and GRS measurements between freely available fully automated DeepStrain and commercially available manual FT software, with substantial time-saving in the analysis.

Evidence level: 3 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.

Keywords: automated; deep learning; feature tracking; myocardial strain.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Cine* / methods
  • Male
  • Myocardium
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Ventricular Function, Left*