A study investigating variability of left ventricular ejection fraction using manual and automatic processing modes in a single setting

Bresser, Philppa Lynn; De Beer, Janeske; De Wet, Yolandi

dc.contributor.author	Bresser, Philppa Lynn
dc.contributor.author	De Beer, Janeske
dc.contributor.author	De Wet, Yolandi
dc.date.accessioned	2015-02-02T07:09:27Z
dc.date.available	2015-02-02T07:09:27Z
dc.date.issued	2015-02
dc.description.abstract	PURPOSE : A planar multi-gated cardiac blood pool acquisition is a non-invasive technique commonly used to measure left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). It is essential that the calculation of LVEF be accurate, repeatable and reproducible for serial monitoring of patients. Different processing modes may be used in calculating the LVEF which require various degrees of manipulation. In addition, different operators with varying levels of experience may process the same data set. It is not known whether the inter-operator variability of LVEF values within a single nuclear medicine department has the potential to affect the calculated LVEF and in turn affect patient management. The aim of the study was to determine variability of LVEF values among operators with different levels of experience using two processing modes. METHODS : A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in a single setting. Four operators with varying levels of experience analysed 120 left anterior oblique projections using manual and automatic processing modes to calculate the LVEF. Inter- and intra-operator correlation was determined. RESULTS : Manual processing showed moderate to strong agreement (r1 = 0.653) between operators. Automatic processing indicated almost perfect (r1 = 0.812) inter-operator correlation. Intra-operator correlation demonstrated a trend of decreasing variability between processing modes with increasing levels of experience. CONCLUSION : Despite the overall inter-operator agreement, significant intra-operator variability was evident in results from operators with less experience. However, the discrepancies were such that the differences in LVEF would not play a role in patient management. It is recommended that automatic processing be used for determining LVEF to limit inter-operator variability. Additionally operator experience should be considered in the absence of standardised processing protocols when different processing modes are available in a single setting.	en_ZA
dc.description.librarian	hj2015	en_ZA
dc.description.uri	http://www.elsevier.com/locate/radi	en_ZA
dc.identifier.citation	Bresser, P, De Beer, J & De Wet, Y 2015, 'A study investigating variability of left ventricular ejection fraction using manual and automatic processing modes in a single setting', Radiography, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. e41-e44.	en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn	1078-8174 (print)
dc.identifier.issn	1532-2831 (online)
dc.identifier.other	10.1016/j.radi.2014.10.002
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/2263/43513
dc.language.iso	en	en_ZA
dc.publisher	Elsevier	en_ZA
dc.rights	© 2014 The College of Radiographers. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Notice : this is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Radiography. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Radiography, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. e41-e44, 2015. doi :10.1016/j.radi.2014.10.002.	en_ZA
dc.subject	Equilibrium radionuclide angiography	en_ZA
dc.subject	Processing methods	en_ZA
dc.subject	Intra-observer variability	en_ZA
dc.subject	Left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF)	en_ZA
dc.title	A study investigating variability of left ventricular ejection fraction using manual and automatic processing modes in a single setting	en_ZA
dc.type	Postprint Article	en_ZA