Effective Study: Development and Application of a Question-Driven, Time-Effective Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Scanning Protocol

BACKGROUND: Long scanning times impede cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) clinical uptake. A “one-size-fits-all” shortened, focused protocol (eg, only function and late-gadolinium enhancement) reduces scanning time and costs, but provides less information. We developed 2 question-driven CMR and stress-CMR protocols, including tailored advanced tissue characterization, and tested their effectiveness in reducing scanning time while retaining the diagnostic performances of standard protocols. METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighty three consecutive patients with cardiomyopathy or ischemic heart disease underwent the tailored CMR. Each scan consisted of standard cines, late-gadolinium enhancement imaging, native T1-mapping, and extracellular volume. Fat/edema modules, right ventricle cine, and in-line quantitative perfusion mapping were performed as clinically required. Workflow was optimized to avoid gaps. Time target was <30 minutes for a CMR and [removed]30% (CMR: from 42±8 to 28±6 minutes; stress-CMR: from 50±10 to 34±6 minutes, both P[removed]45% of cases. Quality grading was similar between the 2 protocols. Tailored protocols did not require additional staff. CONCLUSIONS: Tailored CMR and stress-CMR protocols including advanced tissue characterization are accurate and timeeffective for cardiomyopathies and ischemic heart disease.