Optimized Three-Dimensional Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Whole Heart Imaging Utilizing Non-Selective Excitation and Compressed Sensing in Children and Adults with Congenital Heart Disease

Background:In congenital heart disease(CHD)patients,detailed three-dimensional anatomy depiction plays a pivotal role for diagnosis and therapeutical decision making.Hence,the present study investigated the applicability of an advanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance(CMR)whole heart imaging approach utilizing nonselective excitation and compressed sensing for anatomical assessment and interventional guidance of CHD patients in comparison to conventional dynamic CMR angiography.Methods:86 consecutive pediatric patients and adults with congenital heart disease(age,1 to 74 years;mean,35 years)underwent CMR imaging including a freebreathing,ECG-triggered 3D nonselective SSFP whole heart acquisition using compressed SENSE(nsWHcs).Anatomical assessability and signal intensity ratio(SIR)measurements were compared with conventional dynamic 3D-/4D-MR angiography.Results:The most frequent diagnoses were partial anomalous pulmonary venous drainage(17/86,20%),transposition of the great arteries(15/86,17%),tetralogy of Fallot(12/86,14%),and a single ventricle(7/86,8%).Image quality of nsWHcs was rated as excellent/good in 98%of patients.nsWHcs resulted in a reliable depiction of all large thoracic vessels(anatomic assessability,99%–100%)and the proximal segments of coronary arteries and coronary sinus(>90%).nsWHcs achieved a homogenously distributed SIR in all cardiac cavities and thoracic vessels without a significant difference between pulmonary and systemic circulation(10.9±3.5 and 10.6±3.4;p=0.15),while 3D angiography showed significantly increased SIR for targeted vs.non-targeted circulation(PA-angiography,15.2±8.1 vs.5.8±3.6,p<0.001;PV-angiography,7.0±3.9 vs.17.3±6.8,p<0.001).Conclusions:The proposed nsWHcs imaging approach provided a consistently high image quality and a homogeneous signal intensity distribution within the pulmonary and systemic circulation in pediatric patients and adults with a wide spectrum of congenital heart diseases.nsWHcs enabled detailed anatomical assessment and three-dimensional reconstruction of all cardiac cavities and large thoracic vessels and can be regarded particularly useful for preprocedural planning and interventional guidance in CHD patients.

2023年SCMR 4D Flow心血管磁共振共识声明解读

血流动力学评估对于心血管疾病的诊断和治疗十分重要,四维心血管磁共振血流成像(four-dimensional cardiovascular magnetic resonance flow imaging,4D Flow CMR)可在一次采集中全面、准确地评估血流。2023年心血管磁共振学会(Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance,SCMR)在2015版4D Flow CMR共识声明的基础上更新发布了新版共识声明,为4D Flow CMR的采集参数的选择、后处理工作流程、整合入临床实践、推荐的出版标准提供建议,并定义了临床中心的最低质量保证和验证标准,以及对其局限性和未来展望进行讨论。笔者对新版共识声明进行解读与分析,旨在为未来4D Flow CMR广泛应用于临床及该领域研究方向提供参考。

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging assessment of outcomes in acute myocardial infarction

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance(CMR) imaging uniquely characterizes myocardial and microvascular injury in acute myocardial infarction(AMI), providing powerful surrogate markers of outcomes. The last 10 years have seen an exponential increase in AMI studies utilizing CMR based endpoints. This article provides a contemporary, comprehensive review of the powerful role of CMR imaging in the assessment of outcomes in AMI. The theory, assessment techniques, chronology, importance in predicting left ventricular function and remodelling, and prognostic value of each CMR surrogate marker is described in detail. Major studies illustrating the importance of the markers are summarized, providing an up to date review of the literature base in CMR imaging in AMI.

Assessment of stable coronary artery disease by cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging: Current and emerging techniques

Coronary artery disease(CAD) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance(CMR) is established in clinical practice guidelines with a growing evidence base supporting its use to aid the diagnosis and management of patients with suspected or established CAD. CMR is a multi-parametric imaging modality that yields high spatial resolution images that can be acquired in any plane for the assessment of global and regional cardiac function, myocardial perfusion and viability, tissue characterisation and coronary artery anatomy, all within a single study protocol and without exposure to ionising radiation. Advances in technology and acquisition techniques continue to progress the utility of CMR across a wide spectrum of cardiovascular disease, and the publication of large scale clinical trials continues to strengthen the role of CMR in daily cardiology practice. This article aims to review current practice and explore the future directions of multi-parametric CMR imaging in the investigation of stable CAD.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance: Diagnostic utility and specific considerations in the pediatric population

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance is a non-invasive imaging modality which is emerging as important tool for the investigation and management of pediatric cardiovascular disease. In this review we describe the key technical and practical differences between scanning children and adults, and highlight some important considerations that must be taken into account for this patient population. Using case examples commonly seen in clinical practice, we discuss the important clinical applications of cardiovascular magnetic resonance, and briefly highlight key future developments in this field.

Diagnosis and management of ischemic cardiomyopathy: Role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging

Coronary artery disease(CAD) represents an important cause of mortality. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance(CMR) imaging evolved as an imaging modality that allows the assessment of myocardial function, perfusion, contractile reserve and extent of fibrosis in a single comprehensive exam. This review highlights the role of CMR in the differential diagnosis of acute chest pain by detecting the location of obstructive CAD or necrosis and identifying other conditions like stress cardiomyopathy or myocarditis that can present with acute chest pain. Besides, it underlines the prognostic implication of perfusion abnormalities in the setting of acute chest pain. Furthermore, the review addresses the role of CMR to detect significant CAD in patients with stable CAD. It elucidates the accuracy and clinical utility of CMR with respect to other imaging modalitieslike single-photon emission computed tomography and positron emission tomography. Besides, the prognostic value of CMR stress testing is discussed. Additionally, it summarizes the available CMR techniques to assess myocardial viability and describes algorithm to identify those patient who might profit from revascularization those who should be treated medically. Finally, future promising imaging techniques that will provide further insights into the fundamental disease processes in ischemic cardiomyopathy are discussed.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance in myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries patients: A review

The diagnosis of myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries(MINOCA)necessitates documentation of an acute myocardial infarction(AMI),non-obstructive coronary arteries,using invasive coronary angiography or coronary computed tomography angiography and no clinically overt cause for AMI.Historically patients with MINOCA represent a clinical dilemma with subsequent uncertain clinical management.Differential diagnosis is crucial to choose the best therapeutic option for ischemic and non-ischemic MINOCA patients.Cardiovascular magnetic resonance(CMR)is able to analyze cardiac structure and function simultaneously and provides tissue characterization.Moreover,CMR could identify the cause of MINOCA in nearly two-third of patients providing valuable information for clinical decision making.Finally,it allows stratification of patients with worse outcomes which resulted in therapeutic changes in almost half of the patients.In this review we discuss the features of CMR in MINOCA;from exam protocols to imaging findings.

The Detectability for the Myocardial Fibrosis by Tagging Imaging on Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance

Purpose: Myocardial fibrosis causes cardiac dysfunction, arrhythmias, and sudden death. Tagging imaging on cardiovascular MR can measure the intra-myocardial motion from the dynamic deformation of lines superimposed on the myocardium. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the detectability of myocardial fibrosis using tagging imaging and to compare this with conventional cine imaging. Materials and Methods: We reviewed 4 normal control (NML) subjects, 4 patients with myocarditis (MYO), and 4 patients with old myocardial infarction (ICM). We measured circumferential strain (Ecc) from tagging imaging, and regional wall thickening (rWT) from cine imaging. Fibrosis was determined from a late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) image. We evaluate diagnostic performance by comparing values of the area under curve (AUC) using ROC analysis. Results: Mean values of Ecc and rWT decreased in the area of LGE both in MYO and ICM patients. AUC values of Ecc and rWT in all subjects were 0.98 and 0.84, respectively (p < 0.0001). These values in MYO patients were 0.95 and 0.72 (p = 0.007), respectively, and 0.99 and 0.75, respectively, in ICM patients (p = 0.0008). Conclusions: Both Ecc and rWT decreased in the area with fibrosis in the patients with MYO and ICM. Tagging imaging showed better detectability of myocardial fibrosis than did cine imaging.

Evaluation of Left Ventricular Systolic Function after Pulmonary Valve Replacement Using Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Following reparative surgery for tetralogy of Fallot or critical pulmonary stenosis(PS),patients frequently present with severe right ventricular(RV)volume overload due to pulmonary regurgitation,resulting in decreased RV function.Surgical pulmonary valve replacement(PVR)is known to improve RV function,but changes in left ventricular(LV)function after PVR have rarely been described.We sought to determine the midterm results regarding LV systolic function after PVR using cardiac MRI in 40 consecutive patients with repaired TOF(31 patients)or PS(9 patients)with an age of 29±9 years who underwent PVR from 2006 to 2011 at a single center.Cardiac MRI RV and LV volumes before and after PVR were analyzed.Demographics,clinical variables,cardiopulmonary bypass duration,and medications were reviewed.LV ejection fraction(LVEF)increased from(54±8)to(57±6)%(P=0.02).Before PVR,26 patients had depressed LVEF of(49±5)%(range 36– 54%).In this group,LVEF increased by(7±7)%(P<0.0001)after PVR.Low LVEF before PVR was correlated with increased LVEF after PVR(regression coefficient-0.7,R 2=0.59,P<0.0001).Demographics,medications,prior pregnancies,and cardiopulmonary bypass duration had no effect on LVEF after PVR.The increase in LVEF was most significant in patients with low pre-PVR LVEF.

Frontiers of COVID-19-related myocarditis as assessed by cardiovascular magnetic resonance

Coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection.In some patients,COVID-19 is complicated with myocarditis.Early detection of myocardial injury and timely intervention can significantly improve the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients.Although endomyocardial biopsy(EMB)is currently recognized as the‘gold standard’for the diagnosis of myocarditis,there are large sampling errors,many complications and a lack of unified diagnostic criteria.In addition,the clinical methods of treating acute and chronic COVID-19-related myocarditis are different.Cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR)can evaluate the morphology of the heart,left and right ventricular functions,myocardial perfusion,capillary leakage and myocardial interstitial fibrosis to provide a noninvasive and radiation-free diagnostic basis for the clinical detection,efficacy and risk assessment,and followup observation of COVID-19-related myocarditis.However,for the diagnosis of COVID-19-related myocarditis,the Lake Louise Consensus Criteria may not be fully applicable.COVID-19-related myocarditis is different from myocarditis related to other viral infections in terms of signal intensity and lesion location as assessed by CMR,which is used to visualize myocardial damage,locate lesions and quantify pathological changes based on various sequences.Therefore,the standardized application of CMR to timely and accurately evaluate heart injury in COVID-19-related myocarditis and develop rational treatment strategies could be quite effective in improving the prognosis of patients and preventing potential late-onset effects in convalescent patients with COVID-19.

Feature-Tracking Strain Derived from Compressed Sensing Cine Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Myocardial Infarct Detection: A Feasibility Study

Purpose: This study aimed to use gadolinium-enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance (LGE-CMR) scanning to examine the clinical feasibility of feature-tracking strain (FT-strain) analysis on compressed sensing (CS) cine cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging for detecting myocardial infarction (MI). Methods: We enrolled 37 patients who underwent conventional cine CMR, CS cine CMR, and LGE-CMR scanning to assess cardiovascular disease. FT-strain analysis was used to assess peak circumferential strain (p-CS) based on an 18-segment model in both cine CMR imaging modalities. Based on LGE-CMR imaging findings, myocardial segments were classified as remote, adjacent, subendocardial infarcted, and transmural infarcted. The diagnostic performance of p-CS for detecting MI was compared between CS cine CMR imaging and conventional cine CMR imaging using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results: A total of 440 remote, 85 adjacent, 76 subendocardial infarcted, and 65 transmural infarcted segments were diagnosed on LGE-CMR imaging. There were significant between-group differences in p-CS on both conventional and CS cine CMR (p < 0.05 in each) imaging. The sensitivity and specificity of p-CS for identifying MI were 85% and 79% for conventional cine CMR imaging, and 82% and 77% for CS cine CMR imaging, respectively. There was no significant difference between conventional and CS cine CMR imaging in the area under the curve of p-CS (0.89 vs. 0.87, p = 0.15). Conclusion: FT-strain analysis of CS cine CMR imaging may help identify MI;it may be used alongside or instead of conventional CMR imaging.

Clinical applications of feature-tracking cardiac magnetic resonance imaging

Cardiovascular diseases represent the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the western world. Assessment of cardiac function is pivotal for early diag-nosis of primitive myocardial disorders, identification of cardiac involvement in systemic diseases, detection of drug-related cardiac toxicity as well as risk stratification and monitor of treatment effects in patients with heart failure of various etiology. Determination of ejection fraction with different imaging modalities currently represents the gold standard for evaluation of cardiac function. However, in the last few years, cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking techniques has emerged as a more accurate tool for quantitative evalu-ation of cardiovascular function with several parameters including strain, strain-rate, torsion and mechanical dispersion. This imaging modality allows precise quantification of ventricular and atrial mechanics by directly evaluating myocardial fiber deformation. The purpose of this article is to review the basic principles, current clinical applications and future perspectives of cardiovascular magnetic resonance myocardial feature tracking, highlighting its prognostic implications.

Impact of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in nonischemic cardiomyopathies

Non-ischemic cardiomyopathies include a wide spectrum of disease states afflicting the heart, whether a primary process or secondary to a systemic condition. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging(CMR) has established itself as an important imaging modality in the evaluation of non-ischemic cardiomyopathies. CMR is useful in the diagnosis of cardiomyopathy, quantification of ventricular function, establishing etiology, determining prognosis and risk stratification. Technical advances and extensive research over the last decade have resulted in the accumulation of a tremendous amount of data with regards to the utility of CMR in these cardiomyopathies. In this article, we review CMR findings of various non-ischemic cardiomyopathies and focus on current literature investigating the clinical impact of CMR on risk stratification, treatment, and prognosis.

Elusive left ventricular thrombus:Diagnostic role of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging-A case report and review of the literature

Identification of left ventricular mural thrombus(LVT) may be challenging depending on the imaging modality used. We present a case of LVT which was incidentally identified on cine cardiac magnetic resonance imaging(CMR). A sixty-four years old female presented with worsening dyspnea on exertion with troponin elevation. Transthoracic echocardiography(TTE) revealed a dilated left ventricle(LV) and ejection fraction(EF 30%) with thinning and akinesis of inferior/inferolateral wall was noted with basal and mid inferior wall aneurysm, and thrombus was not identified. CMR done to ascertain viability of myocardium revealed a mural thrombus within basal inferior aneurysm. This was not visualized on transthoracic echocardiography with and without use of contrast. She underwent coronary artery bypass grafting, bioprosthetic mitral valve replacement, resection and plication of posterior left ventricular aneurysm with removal of mural thrombus, and was started on anticoagulation with warfarin postoperatively for the apical thrombi. Cardiac magnetic resonance is a well suited imaging modality in detecting LVT due to its high resolution images and is more reproducible than TTE. In our patient, conventional TTE despite administration of echo-contrast agents failed to diagnose the presence of LVT in the basal inferior aneurysm as well as the apical thrombi. Delayedenhancement CMR provides the greatest sensitivity for detection of left ventricular thrombus, superiorto standard transthoracic and contrast-enhanced transthoracic echocardiography.

The Role of Clinical Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in China:Current Status and the Future

Cardiac magnetic resonance(CMR)imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis and management of cardiovascular diseases.The state-of-the-art CMR imaging has many advantages in cardiac imaging,including excellent spatial and temporal resolution,unrestricted imaging fi eld,no exposure to ionizing radiation,excellent tissue contrast,and unique myocardial tissue characterization.Clinical CMR imaging is used during the cardiovascular diagnostic workup in the United States and some European countries.Use of CMR imaging is emerging in hospitals in China and has a promising future.This review briefl y describes the real-world clinical application of CMR imaging in China and discuss obstacles for its future development.

Role of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and management of COVID-19 related myocarditis: Clinical and imaging considerations

There is a growing evidence of cardiovascular complications in coronavirusdisease 2019 (COVID-19) patients. As evidence accumulated of COVID-19 mediatedinflammatory effects on the myocardium, substantial attention has beendirected towards cardiovascular imaging modalities that facilitate this diagnosis.Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMRI) is the gold standard for thedetection of structural and functional myocardial alterations and its role inidentifying patients with COVID-19 mediated cardiac injury is growing. Despiteits utility in the diagnosis of myocardial injury in this population, CMRI’s impacton patient management is still evolving. This review provides a framework for theuse of CMRI in diagnosis and management of COVID-19 patients from theperspective of a cardiologist. We review the role of CMRI in the management ofboth the acutely and remotely COVID-19 infected patient. We discuss patientselection for this imaging modality;T1, T2, and late gadolinium enhancementimaging techniques;and previously described CMRI findings in other cardiomyopathieswith potential implications in COVID-19 recovered patients.

Feasibility of real-time magnetic resonance imaging-guided endomyocardial biopsies:An in-vitro study

AIM: To investigate if magnetic resonance(MR)-guided biopsy can improve the performance and safety of such procedures. METHODS: A novel MR-compatible bioptome was evaluated in a series of in-vitro experiments in a 1.5T magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) system. The bioptome was inserted into explanted porcine and bovine hearts under real-time MR-guidance employing a steady state free precession sequence. The artifact produced by the metal element at the tip and the signal voids caused by the bioptome were visually tracked for navigation and allowed its constant and precise localization. RESULTS: Cardiac structural elements and the target regions for the biopsy were clearly visible. Our method allowed a significantly better spatial visualization of the bioptoms tip compared to conventional X-ray guidance. The specific device design of the bioptome avoided inducible currents and therefore subsequent heating. The novel MR-compatible bioptome provided a superior cardiovascular magnetic resonance(imaging) soft-tissue visualization for MR-guided myocardial biopsies. Not at least the use of MRI guidance for endomyocardial biopsies completely avoided radiation exposure for both patients and interventionalists.CONCLUSION: MRI-guided endomyocardial biopsies provide a better than conventional X-ray guided navigation and could therefore improve the specificity and reproducibility of cardiac biopsies in future studies.

心血管磁共振协会白皮书——快速CMR临床指征解读

尽管心血管磁共振(cardiovascular magnetic resonance,CMR)成像已有几十年坚实的实践基础,但既往较长的扫描时间导致其临床应用受限,亟需标准化快速成像方案以解决临床问题。笔者根据心血管磁共振协会发布的白皮书并结合最新研究进展,对30 min或更短时间CMR检查的常见临床指征、基础设施、流程方法及拓展技术进行解读,以期促进全球范围的应用与推广。

Cardiac Amyloidosis: The Role of Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Amyloidosis, an infiltrative disease characterized by deposition of high molecular weight insoluble protein has a low detection rate and poor prognosis with congestive heart failure being the most common cause of death. Although definitive diagnosis is based on endomyocardial biopsy, this is rarely performed due to procedural risk and sampling error. Traditional non-invasive imaging, such as transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and electrocardiogram (ECG) lacks sensitivity detecting the disease in its early stages. This case report demonstrates the utility of cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in addition to traditional imaging modalities in this often clinically challenging problem.

The assessment of atrial function by velocity-encoded magnetic resonance imaging

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to assess velocity-encoded cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (Ve-CMR) in a population of patients referred for cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR), to determine the variability of atrial function, and to identify clinical parameters associated with left atrial function. Methods: This is a prospective study evaluating patients who were referred to our CMR center for a clinical CMR. Left atrial function was obtained via Ve-CMR thru-plane images across the mitral valve after acquiring 2 perpendicular in-plane images as “scouts”. The atrial function and mitral inflow were quantified by computer analysis (Argus, Siemens). Atrial function was defined as atrial contraction (A-wave) volume divided by total inflow volume. Left atrial volumes were calculated via computer analysis. Mitral regurgitation and left ventricular ejection fractions were assessed visually. Results: Thirty-nine patients, with mean age 56 +/- 10 years, were enrolled. The mean left atrial function was 22.9% +/-14.5%;the range in left atrial function was 0% - 57%. There was a significant positive correlation between atrial function and increased left ventricular ejection fraction (r = 0.44, P < 0.01). There was a significant negative correlation between atrial function and severity of mitral regurgitation (r = -0.60, P < 0.01), as well as left atrial volume (r = -0.36, P = 0.02). Conclusion: Our results indicate a wide variability in left atrial function and a significant association between left atrial function and left ventricular ejection fraction, left atrial volume and mitral regurgitation.