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Liu X, Zhang Y, Zhu H, Jia B, Wang J, He Y, Zhang H. Applications of artificial intelligence-powered prenatal diagnosis for congenital heart disease. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1345761. [PMID: 38720920 PMCID: PMC11076681 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1345761] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Artificial intelligence (AI) has made significant progress in the medical field in the last decade. The AI-powered analysis methods of medical images and clinical records can now match the abilities of clinical physicians. Due to the challenges posed by the unique group of fetuses and the dynamic organ of the heart, research into the application of AI in the prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) is particularly active. In this review, we discuss the clinical questions and research methods involved in using AI to address prenatal diagnosis of CHD, including imaging, genetic diagnosis, and risk prediction. Representative examples are provided for each method discussed. Finally, we discuss the current limitations of AI in prenatal diagnosis of CHD, namely Volatility, Insufficiency and Independence (VII), and propose possible solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Liu
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Data Science and Intelligent Computing, International Innovation Institute, Beihang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Yingying Zhang
- School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
- Key Laboratory of Data Science and Intelligent Computing, International Innovation Institute, Beihang University, Hangzhou, China
| | - Haogang Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Data Science and Intelligent Computing, International Innovation Institute, Beihang University, Hangzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Software Development Environment, Beihang University, Beijing, China
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing, China
| | - Bosen Jia
- School of Biological Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Jingyi Wang
- Echocardiography Medical Center Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine Center in Fetal Heart Disease, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Yihua He
- Echocardiography Medical Center Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, China
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine Center in Fetal Heart Disease, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Hongjia Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Data Science and Intelligent Computing, International Innovation Institute, Beihang University, Hangzhou, China
- Beijing Lab for Cardiovascular Precision Medicine, Beijing, China
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Vollbrecht TM, Hart C, Zhang S, Katemann C, Sprinkart AM, Isaak A, Attenberger U, Pieper CC, Kuetting D, Geipel A, Strizek B, Luetkens JA. Deep learning denoising reconstruction for improved image quality in fetal cardiac cine MRI. Front Cardiovasc Med 2024; 11:1323443. [PMID: 38410246 PMCID: PMC10894983 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2024.1323443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/10/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Purpose This study aims to evaluate deep learning (DL) denoising reconstructions for image quality improvement of Doppler ultrasound (DUS)-gated fetal cardiac MRI in congenital heart disease (CHD). Methods Twenty-five fetuses with CHD (mean gestational age: 35 ± 1 weeks) underwent fetal cardiac MRI at 3T. Cine imaging was acquired using a balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) sequence with Doppler ultrasound gating. Images were reconstructed using both compressed sensing (bSSFP CS) and a pre-trained convolutional neural network trained for DL denoising (bSSFP DL). Images were compared qualitatively based on a 5-point Likert scale (from 1 = non-diagnostic to 5 = excellent) and quantitatively by calculating the apparent signal-to-noise ratio (aSNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (aCNR). Diagnostic confidence was assessed for the atria, ventricles, foramen ovale, valves, great vessels, aortic arch, and pulmonary veins. Results Fetal cardiac cine MRI was successful in 23 fetuses (92%), with two studies excluded due to extensive fetal motion. The image quality of bSSFP DL cine reconstructions was rated superior to standard bSSFP CS cine images in terms of contrast [3 (interquartile range: 2-4) vs. 5 (4-5), P < 0.001] and endocardial edge definition [3 (2-4) vs. 4 (4-5), P < 0.001], while the extent of artifacts was found to be comparable [4 (3-4.75) vs. 4 (3-4), P = 0.40]. bSSFP DL images had higher aSNR and aCNR compared with the bSSFP CS images (aSNR: 13.4 ± 6.9 vs. 8.3 ± 3.6, P < 0.001; aCNR: 26.6 ± 15.8 vs. 14.4 ± 6.8, P < 0.001). Diagnostic confidence of the bSSFP DL images was superior for the evaluation of cardiovascular structures (e.g., atria and ventricles: P = 0.003). Conclusion DL image denoising provides superior quality for DUS-gated fetal cardiac cine imaging of CHD compared to standard CS image reconstruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M Vollbrecht
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Quantitative Imaging Lab Bonn (QILaB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Christopher Hart
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Quantitative Imaging Lab Bonn (QILaB), Bonn, Germany
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Shuo Zhang
- Philips GmbH Market DACH, PD Clinical Science, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Alois M Sprinkart
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Quantitative Imaging Lab Bonn (QILaB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Alexander Isaak
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Quantitative Imaging Lab Bonn (QILaB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Ulrike Attenberger
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Claus C Pieper
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Daniel Kuetting
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Quantitative Imaging Lab Bonn (QILaB), Bonn, Germany
| | - Annegret Geipel
- Department of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Brigitte Strizek
- Department of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Julian A Luetkens
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- Quantitative Imaging Lab Bonn (QILaB), Bonn, Germany
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Wang F, Zhou J, Pu C, Yu F, Wu Y, Zhang L, Ma S, Hu H. Optimizing Clinical Cardiac MRI Workflow through Single Breath-Hold Compressed Sensing Cine: An Evaluation of Feasibility and Efficiency. J Clin Med 2024; 13:753. [PMID: 38337447 PMCID: PMC10856388 DOI: 10.3390/jcm13030753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although compressed sensing (CS) accelerated cine holds immense potential to replace conventional cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) cine, how to use CS-based cine appropriately during clinical CMR examinations still needs exploring. METHODS A total of 104 patients (46.5 ± 17.1 years) participated in this prospective study. For each participant, a balanced steady state free precession (bSSFP) cine was acquired as a reference, followed by two CS accelerated cine sequences with identical parameters before and after contrast injection. Lastly, a CS accelerated cine sequence with an increased flip angle was obtained. We subsequently compared scanning time, image quality, and biventricular function parameters between these sequences. RESULTS All CS cine sequences demonstrated significantly shorter acquisition times compared to bSSFPref cine (p < 0.001). The bSSFPref cine showed higher left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) than all CS cine sequences (all p < 0.001), but no significant differences in LVEF were observed among the three CS cine sequences. Additionally, CS cine sequences displayed superior global image quality (p < 0.05) and fewer artifacts than bSSFPref cine (p < 0.005). Unenhanced CS cine and enhanced CS cine with increased flip angle showed higher global image quality than other cine sequences (p < 0.005). CONCLUSION Single breath-hold CS cine delivers precise biventricular function parameters and offers a range of benefits including shorter scan time, better global image quality, and diminished motion artifacts. This innovative approach holds great promise in replacing conventional bSSFP cine and optimizing the CMR examination workflow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fuyan Wang
- Department of Radiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 3# East Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310016, China; (F.W.); (J.Z.); (C.P.); (F.Y.); (Y.W.); (L.Z.); (S.M.)
| | - Junjie Zhou
- Department of Radiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 3# East Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310016, China; (F.W.); (J.Z.); (C.P.); (F.Y.); (Y.W.); (L.Z.); (S.M.)
- Department of Radiology, The Fourth Affiliated Hospital, International Institutes of Medicine, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 1# Shangcheng Avenuee, Yiwu 322000, China
| | - Cailing Pu
- Department of Radiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 3# East Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310016, China; (F.W.); (J.Z.); (C.P.); (F.Y.); (Y.W.); (L.Z.); (S.M.)
| | - Feidan Yu
- Department of Radiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 3# East Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310016, China; (F.W.); (J.Z.); (C.P.); (F.Y.); (Y.W.); (L.Z.); (S.M.)
| | - Yan Wu
- Department of Radiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 3# East Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310016, China; (F.W.); (J.Z.); (C.P.); (F.Y.); (Y.W.); (L.Z.); (S.M.)
| | - Lingjie Zhang
- Department of Radiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 3# East Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310016, China; (F.W.); (J.Z.); (C.P.); (F.Y.); (Y.W.); (L.Z.); (S.M.)
| | - Siying Ma
- Department of Radiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 3# East Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310016, China; (F.W.); (J.Z.); (C.P.); (F.Y.); (Y.W.); (L.Z.); (S.M.)
| | - Hongjie Hu
- Department of Radiology, Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, 3# East Qingchun Road, Hangzhou 310016, China; (F.W.); (J.Z.); (C.P.); (F.Y.); (Y.W.); (L.Z.); (S.M.)
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Udine M, Loke YH, Goudar S, Donofrio MT, Truong U, Krishnan A. The current state and potential innovation of fetal cardiac MRI. Front Pediatr 2023; 11:1219091. [PMID: 37520049 PMCID: PMC10375913 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2023.1219091] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 08/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Fetal cardiac MRI is a rapidly evolving form of diagnostic testing with utility as a complementary imaging modality for the diagnosis of congenital heart disease and assessment of the fetal cardiovascular system. Previous technical limitations without cardiac gating for the fetal heart rate has been overcome with recent technology. There is potential utility of fetal electrocardiography for direct cardiac gating. In addition to anatomic assessment, innovative technology has allowed for assessment of blood flow, 3D datasets, and 4D flow, providing important insight into fetal cardiovascular physiology. Despite remaining technical barriers, with increased use of fCMR worldwide, it will become an important clinical tool to improve the prenatal care of fetuses with CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Udine
- Division of Cardiology, Children’s National Hospital, Washington, DC, United States
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Kühle H, Cho SKS, Barber N, Goolaub DS, Darby JRT, Morrison JL, Haller C, Sun L, Seed M. Advanced imaging of fetal cardiac function. Front Cardiovasc Med 2023; 10:1206138. [PMID: 37288263 PMCID: PMC10242056 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2023.1206138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Over recent decades, a variety of advanced imaging techniques for assessing cardiovascular physiology and cardiac function in adults and children have been applied in the fetus. In many cases, technical development has been required to allow feasibility in the fetus, while an appreciation of the unique physiology of the fetal circulation is required for proper interpretation of the findings. This review will focus on recent advances in fetal echocardiography and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), providing examples of their application in research and clinical settings. We will also consider future directions for these technologies, including their ongoing technical development and potential clinical value.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henriette Kühle
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Cardiac and Thoracic Surgery, University Hospital Magdeburg, Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg, Magdeburg, Germany
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Steven K. S. Cho
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Nathaniel Barber
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Datta Singh Goolaub
- Translational Medicine Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jack R. T. Darby
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Janna L. Morrison
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
- Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Christoph Haller
- Division of Cardiac Surgery, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Liqun Sun
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Translational Medicine Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mike Seed
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Translational Medicine Program, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Research Institute, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Vollbrecht TM, Hart C, Zhang S, Katemann C, Isaak A, Pieper CC, Kuetting D, Faridi B, Strizek B, Attenberger U, Kipfmueller F, Herberg U, Geipel A, Luetkens JA. Fetal Cardiac Cine MRI with Doppler US Gating in Complex Congenital Heart Disease. Radiol Cardiothorac Imaging 2023; 5:e220129. [PMID: 36860838 PMCID: PMC9969216 DOI: 10.1148/ryct.220129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Abstract
Purpose To apply Doppler US (DUS)-gated fetal cardiac cine MRI in clinical routine and investigate diagnostic performance in complex congenital heart disease (CHD) compared with that of fetal echocardiography. Materials and Methods In this prospective study (May 2021 to March 2022), women with fetuses with CHD underwent fetal echocardiography and DUS-gated fetal cardiac MRI on the same day. For MRI, balanced steady-state free precession cine images were acquired in the axial and optional sagittal and/or coronal orientations. Overall image quality was assessed on a four-point Likert scale (from 1 = nondiagnostic to 4 = good image quality). The presence of abnormalities in 20 fetal cardiovascular features was independently assessed by using both modalities. The reference standard was postnatal examination results. Differences in sensitivities and specificities were determined by using a random-effects model. Results The study included 23 participants (mean age, 32 years ± 5 [SD]; mean gestational age, 36 weeks ± 1). Fetal cardiac MRI was completed in all participants. The median overall image quality of DUS-gated cine images was 3 (IQR, 2.5-4). In 21 of 23 participants (91%), underlying CHD was correctly assessed by using fetal cardiac MRI. In one case, the correct diagnosis was made by using MRI only (situs inversus and congenitally corrected transposition of the great arteries). Sensitivities (91.8% [95% CI: 85.7, 95.1] vs 93.6% [95% CI: 88.8, 96.2]; P = .53) and specificities (99.9% [95% CI: 99.2, 100] vs 99.9% [95% CI: 99.5, 100]; P > .99) for the detection of abnormal cardiovascular features were comparable between MRI and echocardiography, respectively. Conclusion Using DUS-gated fetal cine cardiac MRI resulted in performance comparable with that of using fetal echocardiography for diagnosing complex fetal CHD.Keywords: Pediatrics, MR-Fetal (Fetal MRI), Cardiac, Heart, Congenital, Fetal Imaging, Cardiac MRI, Prenatal, Congenital Heart DiseaseClinical trial registration no. NCT05066399 Supplemental material is available for this article. © RSNA, 2023See also the commentary by Biko and Fogel in this issue.
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Biko DM, Fogel MA. Fetal Cardiac MRI: Doppler US-gated Cine Imaging in Complex Congenital Heart Disease. Radiol Cardiothorac Imaging 2023; 5:e220314. [PMID: 36860832 PMCID: PMC9969212 DOI: 10.1148/ryct.220314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- David M. Biko
- From the Department of Radiology (D.M.B.) and Division of Cardiology (M.A.F.), The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia & University of Pennsylvania, 34th and Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104
| | - Mark A. Fogel
- From the Department of Radiology (D.M.B.) and Division of Cardiology (M.A.F.), The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia & University of Pennsylvania, 34th and Civic Center Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19104
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Piek M, Ryd D, Töger J, Testud F, Hedström E, Aletras AH. Fetal 3D cardiovascular cine image acquisition using radial sampling and compressed sensing. Magn Reson Med 2023; 89:594-604. [PMID: 36156292 PMCID: PMC10087603 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.29467] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore a fetal 3D cardiovascular cine acquisition using a radial image acquisition and compressed-sensing reconstruction and compare image quality and scan time with conventional multislice 2D imaging. METHODS Volumetric fetal cardiac data were acquired in 26 volunteers using a radial 3D balanced SSFP pulse sequence. Cardiac gating was performed using a Doppler ultrasound device. Images were reconstructed using a parallel-imaging and compressed-sensing algorithm. Multiplanar reformatting to standard cardiac views was performed before image analysis. Clinical 2D images were used for comparison. Qualitative and quantitative image evaluation were performed by two experienced observers (scale: 1-4). Volumes, mass, and function were assessed. RESULTS Average scan time for the 3D imaging was 6 min, including one localizer. A 2D imaging stack covering the entire heart including localizer sequences took at least 6.5 min, depending on planning complexity. The 3D acquisition was successful in 7 of 26 subjects (27%). Overall image contrast and perceived resolution were lower in the 3D images. Nonetheless, the 3D images had, on average, a moderate cardiac diagnostic quality (median [range]: 3 [1-4]). Standard clinical 2D acquisitions had a high cardiac diagnostic quality (median [range]: 4 [3, 4]). Cardiac measurements were not different between 2D and 3D images (all p > 0.16). CONCLUSION The presented free-breathing whole-heart fetal 3D radial cine MRI acquisition and reconstruction method enables retrospective visualization of all cardiac views while keeping examination times short. This proof-of-concept work produced images with diagnostic quality, while at the same time reducing the planning complexity to a single localizer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marjolein Piek
- Clinical Physiology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Daniel Ryd
- Clinical Physiology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Johannes Töger
- Clinical Physiology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | | | - Erik Hedström
- Clinical Physiology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.,Diagnostic Radiology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anthony H Aletras
- Clinical Physiology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.,Laboratory of Computing, Medical Informatics and Biomedical-Imaging Technologies, School of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
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Moerdijk AS, Claessens NH, van Ooijen IM, van Ooij P, Alderliesten T, Grotenhuis HB, Benders MJNL, Bohte AE, Breur JMPJ, Charisopoulou D, Clur SA, Cornette JMJ, Fejzic Z, Franssen MTM, Frerich S, Geerdink LM, Go ATJI, Gommers S, Helbing WA, Hirsch A, Holtackers RJ, Klein WM, Krings GJ, Lamb HJ, Nijman M, Pajkrt E, Planken RN, Schrauben EM, Steenhuis TJ, ter Heide H, Vanagt WYR, van Beynum IM, van Gaalen MD, van Iperen GG, van Schuppen J, Willems TP, Witters I. Fetal MRI of the heart and brain in congenital heart disease. THE LANCET. CHILD & ADOLESCENT HEALTH 2023; 7:59-68. [PMID: 36343660 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-4642(22)00249-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Antenatal assessment of congenital heart disease and associated anomalies by ultrasound has improved perinatal care. Fetal cardiovascular MRI and fetal brain MRI are rapidly evolving for fetal diagnostic testing of congenital heart disease. We give an overview on the use of fetal cardiovascular MRI and fetal brain MRI in congenital heart disease, focusing on the current applications and diagnostic yield of structural and functional imaging during pregnancy. Fetal cardiovascular MRI in congenital heart disease is a promising supplementary imaging method to echocardiography for the diagnosis of antenatal congenital heart disease in weeks 30-40 of pregnancy. Concomitant fetal brain MRI is superior to brain ultrasound to show the complex relationship between fetal haemodynamics in congenital heart disease and brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anouk S Moerdijk
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Division of Pediatrics, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Nathalie Hp Claessens
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Division of Pediatrics, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands; Department of Neonatology, Division of Woman and Baby, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Inge M van Ooijen
- Department of Neonatology, Division of Woman and Baby, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Pim van Ooij
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Division of Pediatrics, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Thomas Alderliesten
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Division of Pediatrics, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands; Department of Neonatology, Division of Woman and Baby, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands
| | - Heynric B Grotenhuis
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, Division of Pediatrics, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, Netherlands.
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Zhang X. Magnetic resonance imaging of the monkey fetal brain in utero. INVESTIGATIVE MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING 2022; 26:177-190. [PMID: 36937817 PMCID: PMC10019598 DOI: 10.13104/imri.2022.26.4.177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Non-human primates (NHPs) are the closest living relatives of the human and play a critical role in investigating the effects of maternal viral infection and consumption of medicines, drugs, and alcohol on fetal development. With the advance of contemporary fast MRI techniques with parallel imaging, fetal MRI is becoming a robust tool increasingly used in clinical practice and preclinical studies to examine congenital abnormalities including placental dysfunction, congenital heart disease (CHD), and brain abnormalities non-invasively. Because NHPs are usually scanned under anesthesia, the motion artifact is reduced substantially, allowing multi-parameter MRI techniques to be used intensively to examine the fetal development in a single scanning session or longitudinal studies. In this paper, the MRI techniques for scanning monkey fetal brains in utero in biomedical research are summarized. Also, a fast imaging protocol including T2-weighted imaging, diffusion MRI, resting-state functional MRI (rsfMRI) to examine rhesus monkey fetal brains in utero on a clinical 3T scanner is introduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Zhang
- EPC Imaging Center and Division of Neuropharmacology and Neurologic Diseases, Emory National Primate Research Center, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, 30329, USA
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11
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The Evolution and Developing Importance of Fetal Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Diagnosis of Congenital Cardiac Anomalies: A Systematic Review. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11237027. [PMID: 36498602 PMCID: PMC9738414 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11237027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a reliable method, with a complementary role to Ultrasound (US) Echocardiography, that can be used to fully comprehend and precisely diagnose congenital cardiac malformations. Besides the anatomical study of the fetal cardiovascular system, it allows us to study the function of the fetal heart, remaining, at the same time, a safe adjunct to the classic fetal echocardiography. MRI also allows for the investigation of cardiac and placental diseases by providing information about hematocrit, oxygen saturation, and blood flow in fetal vessels. It is crucial for fetal medicine specialists and pediatric cardiologists to closely follow the advances of fetal cardiac MRI in order to provide the best possible care. In this review, we summarize the advance in techniques and their practical utility to date.
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Knapp J, Tavares de Sousa M, Schönnagel BP. Fetal Cardiovascular MRI - A Systemic Review of the Literature: Challenges, New Technical Developments, and Perspectives. ROFO-FORTSCHR RONTG 2022; 194:841-851. [PMID: 35905903 DOI: 10.1055/a-1761-3500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a valuable adjunct to ultrasound in the prenatal diagnosis of congenital pathologies of the central nervous system, thorax, and abdomen. Fetal cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) was limited, mainly by the lack of cardiac gating, and has only recently evolved due to technical developments. METHOD A literature search was performed on PubMed, focusing on technical advancements to perform fetal CMR. In total, 20 publications on cardiac gating techniques in the human fetus were analyzed. RESULTS Fetal MRI is a safe imaging method with no developmental impairments found to be associated with in utero exposure to MRI. Fetal CMR is challenging due to general drawbacks (e. g., fetal motion) and specific limitations such as the difficulty to generate a cardiac gating signal to achieve high spatiotemporal resolution. Promising technical advancements include new methods for fetal cardiac gating, based on novel post-processing approaches and an external hardware device, as well as motion compensation and acceleration techniques. CONCLUSION Newly developed direct and indirect gating approaches were successfully applied to achieve high-quality morphologic and functional imaging as well as quantitative assessment of fetal hemodynamics in research settings. In cases when prenatal echocardiography is limited, e. g., by an unfavorable fetal position in utero, or when its results are inconclusive, fetal CMR could potentially serve as a valuable adjunct in the prenatal assessment of congenital cardiovascular malformations. However, sufficient data on the diagnostic performance and clinical benefit of new fetal CMR techniques is still lacking. KEY POINTS · New fetal cardiac gating methods allow high-quality fetal CMR.. · Motion compensation and acceleration techniques allow for improvement of image quality.. · Fetal CMR could potentially serve as an adjunct to fetal echocardiography in the future.. CITATION FORMAT · Knapp J, Tavares de Sousa M, Schönnagel BP. Fetal Cardiovascular MRI - A Systemic Review of the Literature: Challenges, New Technical Developments, and Perspectives. Fortschr Röntgenstr 2022; 194: 841 - 851.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janine Knapp
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Björn P Schönnagel
- Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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Schmidbauer VU, Dovjak GO, Yildirim MS, Mayr-Geisl G, Weber M, Diogo MC, Gruber GM, Prayer F, Milos RI, Stuempflen M, Ulm B, Binder J, Bettelheim D, Kiss H, Prayer D, Kasprian G. Mapping Human Fetal Brain Maturation In Vivo Using Quantitative MRI. AJNR Am J Neuroradiol 2021; 42:2086-2093. [PMID: 34503947 DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.a7286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE On the basis of a single multidynamic multiecho sequence acquisition, SyMRI generates a variety of quantitative image data that can characterize tissue-specific properties. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the feasibility of SyMRI for the qualitative and quantitative assessment of fetal brain maturation. MATERIALS AND METHODS In 52 fetuses, multidynamic multiecho sequence acquisitions were available. SyMRI was used to perform multidynamic multiecho-based postprocessing. Fetal brain maturity was scored qualitatively on the basis of SyMRI-generated MR imaging data. The results were compared with conventionally acquired T1-weighted/T2-weighted contrasts as a standard of reference. Myelin-related changes in T1-/T2-relaxation time/relaxation rate, proton density, and MR imaging signal intensity of the developing fetal brain stem were measured. A Pearson correlation analysis was used to detect correlations between the following: 1) the gestational age at MR imaging and the fetal brain maturity score, and 2) the gestational age at MR imaging and the quantitative measurements. RESULTS SyMRI provided images of sufficient quality in 12/52 (23.08%) (range, 23 + 6-34 + 0) fetal multidynamic multiecho sequence acquisitions. The fetal brain maturity score positively correlated with gestational age at MR imaging (SyMRI: r = 0.915, P < .001/standard of reference: r = 0.966, P < .001). Myelination-related changes in the T2 relaxation time/T2 relaxation rate of the medulla oblongata significantly correlated with gestational age at MR imaging (T2-relaxation time: r = -0.739, P = .006/T2-relaxation rate: r = 0.790, P = .002). CONCLUSIONS Fetal motion limits the applicability of multidynamic multiecho-based postprocessing. However, SyMRI-generated image data of sufficient quality enable the qualitative assessment of maturity-related changes of the fetal brain. In addition, quantitative T2 relaxation time/T2 relaxation rate mapping characterizes myelin-related changes of the brain stem prenatally. This approach, if successful, opens novel possibilities for the evaluation of structural and biochemical aspects of fetal brain maturation.
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Affiliation(s)
- V U Schmidbauer
- From the Departments of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy (V.U.S., G.O.D., M.S.Y., M.W., M.C.D., F.P., R.-I.M., M.S., D.P. G.K)
| | - G O Dovjak
- From the Departments of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy (V.U.S., G.O.D., M.S.Y., M.W., M.C.D., F.P., R.-I.M., M.S., D.P. G.K)
| | - M S Yildirim
- From the Departments of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy (V.U.S., G.O.D., M.S.Y., M.W., M.C.D., F.P., R.-I.M., M.S., D.P. G.K)
| | | | - M Weber
- From the Departments of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy (V.U.S., G.O.D., M.S.Y., M.W., M.C.D., F.P., R.-I.M., M.S., D.P. G.K)
| | - M C Diogo
- From the Departments of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy (V.U.S., G.O.D., M.S.Y., M.W., M.C.D., F.P., R.-I.M., M.S., D.P. G.K)
| | - G M Gruber
- Department of Anatomy and Biomechanics (G.M.G.), Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences, Krems an der Donau, Austria
| | - F Prayer
- From the Departments of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy (V.U.S., G.O.D., M.S.Y., M.W., M.C.D., F.P., R.-I.M., M.S., D.P. G.K)
| | - R-I Milos
- From the Departments of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy (V.U.S., G.O.D., M.S.Y., M.W., M.C.D., F.P., R.-I.M., M.S., D.P. G.K)
| | - M Stuempflen
- From the Departments of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy (V.U.S., G.O.D., M.S.Y., M.W., M.C.D., F.P., R.-I.M., M.S., D.P. G.K)
| | - B Ulm
- Obstetrics and Gynecology (B.U., J.B., D.B., H.K.), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - J Binder
- Obstetrics and Gynecology (B.U., J.B., D.B., H.K.), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - D Bettelheim
- Obstetrics and Gynecology (B.U., J.B., D.B., H.K.), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - H Kiss
- Obstetrics and Gynecology (B.U., J.B., D.B., H.K.), Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - D Prayer
- From the Departments of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy (V.U.S., G.O.D., M.S.Y., M.W., M.C.D., F.P., R.-I.M., M.S., D.P. G.K)
| | - G Kasprian
- From the Departments of Biomedical Imaging and Image-Guided Therapy (V.U.S., G.O.D., M.S.Y., M.W., M.C.D., F.P., R.-I.M., M.S., D.P. G.K)
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Use of compressed sensing to reduce scan time and breath-holding for cardiac cine balanced steady-state free precession magnetic resonance imaging in children and young adults. Pediatr Radiol 2021; 51:1192-1201. [PMID: 33566124 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-020-04952-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Revised: 08/31/2020] [Accepted: 12/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Conventional pediatric volumetric MRI acquisitions of a short-axis stack typically require multiple breath-holds under anesthesia. OBJECTIVE Here, we aimed to validate a vendor-optimized compressed-sensing approach to reduce scan time during short-axis balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) cine imaging. MATERIALS AND METHODS Imaging was performed in 28 patients (16±9 years) in this study on a commercial 3-tesla (T) scanner using retrospective electrocardiogram-gated cine bSSFP. Cine short-axis images covering both ventricles were acquired with conventional parallel imaging and a vendor-optimized parallel imaging/compressed-sensing approach. Qualitative Likert scoring for blood-myocardial contrast, edge definition, and presence of artifact was performed by two experienced radiologists. Quantitative comparisons were performed including biventricular size and function. A paired t-test was used to detect significant differences (P<0.05). RESULTS Scan duration was 7±2 s/slice for conventional imaging (147±33 s total) vs. 4±2 s/slice for compressed sensing (83±28 s total). No significant differences were found with qualitative image scores for blood-myocardial contrast, edge definition, and presence of artifact. No significant differences were found in volumetric analysis between the two sequences. The number of breath-holds was 10±4 for conventional imaging and 5±3 for compressed sensing. CONCLUSION Compressed sensing allowed for a 50% reduction in the number of breath-holds and a 43% reduction in the total scan time without differences in the qualitative or quantitative measurements as compared to the conventional technique.
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Morrison JL, Ayonrinde OT, Care AS, Clarke GD, Darby JRT, David AL, Dean JM, Hooper SB, Kitchen MJ, Macgowan CK, Melbourne A, McGillick EV, McKenzie CA, Michael N, Mohammed N, Sadananthan SA, Schrauben E, Regnault TRH, Velan SS. Seeing the fetus from a DOHaD perspective: discussion paper from the advanced imaging techniques of DOHaD applications workshop held at the 2019 DOHaD World Congress. J Dev Orig Health Dis 2021; 12:153-167. [PMID: 32955011 DOI: 10.1017/s2040174420000884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Advanced imaging techniques are enhancing research capacity focussed on the developmental origins of adult health and disease (DOHaD) hypothesis, and consequently increasing awareness of future health risks across various subareas of DOHaD research themes. Understanding how these advanced imaging techniques in animal models and human population studies can be both additively and synergistically used alongside traditional techniques in DOHaD-focussed laboratories is therefore of great interest. Global experts in advanced imaging techniques congregated at the advanced imaging workshop at the 2019 DOHaD World Congress in Melbourne, Australia. This review summarizes the presentations of new imaging modalities and novel applications to DOHaD research and discussions had by DOHaD researchers that are currently utilizing advanced imaging techniques including MRI, hyperpolarized MRI, ultrasound, and synchrotron-based techniques to aid their DOHaD research focus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janna L Morrison
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Oyekoya T Ayonrinde
- Fiona Stanley Hospital, Murdoch, WA, Australia
- Medical School, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - Alison S Care
- The Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Geoffrey D Clarke
- Department of Radiology, University of Texas Health Science Center, San Antonio, TX, USA
| | - Jack R T Darby
- Early Origins of Adult Health Research Group, Health and Biomedical Innovation, UniSA: Clinical and Health Sciences, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA, Australia
| | - Anna L David
- Elizabeth Garrett Anderson Institute for Women's Health, University College London, London, UK
| | - Justin M Dean
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Stuart B Hooper
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Marcus J Kitchen
- School of Physics and Astronomy, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | - Andrew Melbourne
- School of Biomedical Engineering and Imaging Sciences, Kings College London, London, UK
| | - Erin V McGillick
- The Ritchie Centre, Hudson Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Charles A McKenzie
- Department of Medical Biophysics, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Lawson Health Research Institute and Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
| | - Navin Michael
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Nuruddin Mohammed
- Maternal Fetal Medicine Unit, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Suresh Anand Sadananthan
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Eric Schrauben
- Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Timothy R H Regnault
- Lawson Health Research Institute and Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Western University, London, ON, Canada
| | - S Sendhil Velan
- Singapore Bioimaging Consortium, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
- Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology, and Research (A*STAR), Singapore, Singapore
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Sun L, Lee FT, van Amerom JFP, Freud L, Jaeggi E, Macgowan CK, Seed M. Update on fetal cardiovascular magnetic resonance and utility in congenital heart disease. JOURNAL OF CONGENITAL CARDIOLOGY 2021. [DOI: 10.1186/s40949-021-00059-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect, affecting approximately eight per thousand newborns. Between one and two neonates per thousand have congenital cardiac lesions that require immediate post-natal treatment to stabilize the circulation, and the management of these patients in particular has been greatly enhanced by prenatal detection. The antenatal diagnosis of CHD has been made possible through the development of fetal echocardiography, which provides excellent visualization of cardiac anatomy and physiology and is widely available. However, late gestational fetal echocardiographic imaging can be hampered by suboptimal sonographic windows, particularly in the setting of oligohydramnios or adverse maternal body habitus.
Main body
Recent advances in fetal cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) technology now provide a feasible alternative that could be helpful when echocardiography is inconclusive or limited. Fetal CMR has also been used to study fetal circulatory physiology in human fetuses with CHD, providing new insights into how these common anatomical abnormalities impact the distribution of blood flow and oxygen across the fetal circulation. In combination with conventional fetal and neonatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, fetal CMR can be used to explore the relationship between abnormal cardiovascular physiology and fetal development. Similarly, fetal CMR has been successfully applied in large animal models of the human fetal circulation, aiding in the evaluation of experimental interventions aimed at improving in utero development. With the advent of accelerated image acquisition techniques, post-processing approaches to correcting motion artifacts and commercial MRI compatible cardiotocography units for acquiring gated fetal cardiac imaging, an increasing number of CMR methods including angiography, ventricular volumetry, and the quantification of vessel blood flow and oxygen content are now possible.
Conclusion
Fetal CMR has reached an exciting stage whereby it may now be used to enhance the assessment of cardiac morphology and fetal hemodynamics in the setting of prenatal CHD.
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Yan J, Liang B, Lv Y, Li Y. Monitoring and Analysis of Early Heart Structure of Fetus in Gynecology and Obstetrics Based on Ultrasound Image. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL IMAGING AND HEALTH INFORMATICS 2021. [DOI: 10.1166/jmihi.2021.3350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
As the core organ of cardiovascular system, fetal heart plays a very important role. With the development of pregnancy, the early fetal heart rate tends to mature, and the corresponding cardiac function tends to mature and stable. But the fetal heart is very fragile during pregnancy.
Various diseases during pregnancy directly lead to fetal heart growth restriction, and even lead to fetal heart function damage. Ultrasound image diagnosis is one of the most important diagnostic methods in medical imaging. It is of great significance to detect the early heart structure of
the fetus in gynecology and obstetrics. It can detect the early fetal heart in real time and noninvasively. However, the traditional ultrasonic image detection has many disadvantages in the process of application, such as many noise points, low performance of processing algorithm, which to
some extent affects the detection performance of ultrasonic image detection in the detection of fetal heart structure in gynecology and obstetrics. Based on the above problems, this paper proposes an adaptive detection algorithm of superimposed moving image based on ultrasonic image detection,
which can accurately extract and analyze fetal heart region when the signal-to-noise ratio of ultrasonic image sequence is low. The average anisotropy algorithm is also proposed innovatively in this paper. In order to predict the structure of fetal heart more accurately, the active heart model
combining fetal heart structure and motion information is considered in the actual analysis process. Experiments show that the accuracy error of the algorithm is less than 11 pixels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingbin Yan
- Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Wenzhou Zhejiang 325000 China
| | - Birong Liang
- Wenzhou Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine Wenzhou Zhejiang 325000 China
| | - Ying Lv
- Yuhuan People’s Hospital, Zhejiang 317600 China
| | - Yanbin Li
- Wenzhou Seventh People’s Hospital, 325000 China
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Fetal cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. Pediatr Radiol 2020; 50:1881-1894. [PMID: 33252756 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-020-04902-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2020] [Revised: 09/23/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Fetal cardiovascular MRI is showing promise as a clinical diagnostic tool in the setting of congenital heart disease when the cardiac anatomy is unresolved by US or when complementary quantitative data on blood flow, oxygen saturation and hematocrit are required to aid in management. Compared with postnatal cardiovascular MRI, prenatal cardiovascular MRI still has some technical limitations. However, ongoing technical advances continue to improve the robustness and usability of fetal cardiovascular MRI. In this review, we provide an overview of the state of the art of fetal cardiovascular MRI and summarize the current focus of clinical application for this versatile technique.
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Motion-corrected foetal cardiac MRI. Nat Biomed Eng 2020; 3:852-854. [PMID: 31645682 DOI: 10.1038/s41551-019-0476-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an appealing technology for fetal cardiovascular assessment. It can be used to visualize fetal cardiac and vascular anatomy, to quantify fetal blood flow, and to quantify fetal blood oxygen saturation and hematocrit. However, there are practical limitations to the use of conventional MRI for fetal cardiovascular assessment, including the small size and high heart rate of the human fetus, the lack of conventional cardiac gating methods to synchronize data acquisition, and the potential corruption of MRI data due to maternal respiration and unpredictable fetal movements. In this review, we discuss recent technical advances in accelerated imaging, image reconstruction, cardiac gating, and motion compensation that have enabled dynamic MRI of the fetal heart.
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Marini D, Xu J, Sun L, Jaeggi E, Seed M. Current and future role of fetal cardiovascular MRI in the setting of fetal cardiac interventions. Prenat Diagn 2019; 40:71-83. [PMID: 31834624 DOI: 10.1002/pd.5626] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2019] [Revised: 11/01/2019] [Accepted: 11/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Over recent years, technical developments resulting in the feasibility of fetal cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) have provided a new diagnostic tool for studying the human fetal heart and circulation. During the same period, we have witnessed the arrival of several minimally invasive fetal cardiac interventions (FCI) as a possible form of treatment in selected congenital heart diseases (CHDs). The role of fetal CMR in the planning and monitoring of FCI is not yet clear. Indeed, high-quality fetal CMR is not available or routinely offered at most centers caring for patients with prenatally detected CHD. However, in theory, fetal CMR could have much to offer in the setting of FCI by providing complementary anatomic and physiologic information relating to the specific intervention under consideration. Similarly, fetal CMR may be useful as an alternative imaging modality when ultrasound is hampered by technical limitations, for example, in the setting of oligohydramnios and in late gestation. In this review, we summarize current experience of the use of fetal CMR in the diagnosis and monitoring of fetuses with cardiopathies in the setting of a range of invasive in utero cardiac and vascular interventions and medical treatments and speculate about future directions for this versatile imaging medium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Marini
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto and Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jiawei Xu
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto and Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Liqun Sun
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto and Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Edgar Jaeggi
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto and Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Mike Seed
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto and Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Ryd D, Sun L, Steding-Ehrenborg K, Bidhult S, Kording F, Ruprecht C, Macgowan CK, Seed M, Aletras AH, Arheden H, Hedström E. Quantification of blood flow in the fetus with cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging using Doppler ultrasound gating: validation against metric optimized gating. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2019; 21:74. [PMID: 31783877 PMCID: PMC6883707 DOI: 10.1186/s12968-019-0586-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/25/2019] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Fetal cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is used clinically and for research, but has been previously limited due to lack of direct gating methods. A CMR-compatible Doppler ultrasound (DUS) gating device has resolved this. However, the DUS-gating method is not validated against the current reference method for fetal phase-contrast blood flow measurements, metric optimized gating (MOG). Further, we investigated how different methods for vessel delineation affect flow volumes and observer variability in fetal flow acquisitions. AIMS To 1) validate DUS gating versus MOG for quantifying fetal blood flow; 2) assess repeatability of DUS gating; 3) assess impact of region of interest (ROI) size on flow volume; and 4) compare time-resolved and static delineations for flow volume and observer variability. METHODS Phase-contrast CMR was acquired in the fetal descending aorta (DAo) and umbilical vein by DUS gating and MOG in 22 women with singleton pregnancy in gestational week 360 (265-400) with repeated scans in six fetuses. Impact of ROI size on measured flow was assessed for ROI:s 50-150% of the vessel diameter. Four observers from two centers provided time-resolved and static delineations. Bland-Altman analysis was used to determine agreement between both observers and methods. RESULTS DAo flow was 726 (348-1130) ml/min and umbilical vein flow 366 (150-782) ml/min by DUS gating. Bias±SD for DUS-gating versus MOG were - 45 ± 122 ml/min (-6 ± 15%) for DAo and 19 ± 136 ml/min (2 ± 24%) for umbilical vein flow. Repeated flow measurements in the same fetus showed similar volumes (median CoV = 11% (DAo) and 23% (umbilical vein)). Region of interest 50-150% of vessel diameter yielded flow 35-120%. Bias±SD for time-resolved versus static DUS-gated flow was 33 ± 39 ml/min (4 ± 6%) for DAo and 11 ± 84 ml/min (2 ± 15%) for umbilical vein flow. CONCLUSIONS Quantification of blood flow in the fetal DAo and umbilical vein using DUS-gated phase-contrast CMR is feasible and agrees with the current reference method. Repeatability was generally high for CMR fetal blood flow assessment. An ROI similar to the vessel area or slightly larger is recommended. A static ROI is sufficient for fetal flow quantification using currently available CMR sequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Ryd
- Clinical Physiology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Liqun Sun
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto and Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Katarina Steding-Ehrenborg
- Clinical Physiology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Health Sciences, Physiotherapy, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Bidhult
- Clinical Physiology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Fabian Kording
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Ruprecht
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christopher K. Macgowan
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto and Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Michael Seed
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto and Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, University of Toronto and Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Anthony H. Aletras
- Clinical Physiology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
- School of Medicine, Laboratory of Computing, Medical Informatics and Biomedical, Imaging Technologies, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Håkan Arheden
- Clinical Physiology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Erik Hedström
- Clinical Physiology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
- Diagnostic Radiology, Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Lund University, Skane University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
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Roy CW, Marini D, Lloyd DFA, Mawad W, Yoo SJ, Schrauben EM, Jaeggi E, Seed M, Macgowan CK. Preliminary Experience Using Motion Compensated CINE Magnetic Resonance Imaging to Visualise Fetal Congenital Heart Disease. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging 2019; 11:e007745. [PMID: 30558501 DOI: 10.1161/circimaging.118.007745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent advances in cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging have facilitated CINE imaging of the fetal heart. In this work, a preliminary investigation of the utility of multislice CINE CMR for assessing fetal congenital heart disease is performed and compared with echocardiography. METHODS AND RESULTS Multislice CINE CMR and echocardiography images were acquired in 25 pregnant women wherein the fetus had a suspected congenital heart defect based on routine obstetric ultrasound. Pathognomonic images were identified for each subject for qualitative comparison of CMR and echocardiography. Quantitative comparison of CMR and echocardiography was then performed by 2 reviewers using a binary scoring of 9 fetal cardiac anatomic features (identifiable/not-identifiable). Pathognomonic images demonstrated the ability of CMR to visualize a variety of congenital heart defects. Overall CMR was able to identify the majority of the 9 assessed fetal cardiac anatomic features (reviewer 1, 7.1±2.1; reviewer 2, 6.7±2.3). Although both reviewers identified more anatomic features with echocardiography (reviewer 1, 7.8±2.3; reviewer 2, 7.5±2.4; P=0.01), combining information from both modalities enabled identification of additional anatomic features across subjects (reviewer 1, 8.4±1.3; reviewer 2, 8.4±1.2). The primary limiting factor for CMR was inadequate coverage of the fetal cardiac anatomy or noncontiguous slices because of gross fetal movement. CONCLUSIONS CINE CMR enables visualization of fetal congenital heart disease. This work demonstrates the potential of CMR for diagnosing congenital heart disease in utero in conjunction with echocardiography during late gestation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher W Roy
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Canada (C.W.R., C.K.M.).,Division of Translational Medicine (C.W.R., E.M.S., E.J., C.K.M)
| | - Davide Marini
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada (D.M., W.M., S.-J.Y., E.J., M.S.)
| | - David F A Lloyd
- Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, United Kingdom (D.F.A.L.).,Departments of Paediatric and Fetal Cardiology, Evelina Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom (D.F.A.L.)
| | - Wadi Mawad
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada (D.M., W.M., S.-J.Y., E.J., M.S.)
| | - Shi-Joon Yoo
- Departments of Pediatrics and Diagnostic Imaging, University of Toronto, Canada (S.-J.Y., E.J., M.S.).,Division of Pediatric Cardiology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada (D.M., W.M., S.-J.Y., E.J., M.S.)
| | - Eric M Schrauben
- Division of Translational Medicine (C.W.R., E.M.S., E.J., C.K.M)
| | - Edgar Jaeggi
- Departments of Pediatrics and Diagnostic Imaging, University of Toronto, Canada (S.-J.Y., E.J., M.S.).,Division of Translational Medicine (C.W.R., E.M.S., E.J., C.K.M).,Division of Pediatric Cardiology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada (D.M., W.M., S.-J.Y., E.J., M.S.)
| | - Mike Seed
- Departments of Pediatrics and Diagnostic Imaging, University of Toronto, Canada (S.-J.Y., E.J., M.S.).,Division of Pediatric Cardiology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada (D.M., W.M., S.-J.Y., E.J., M.S.)
| | - Christopher K Macgowan
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Canada (C.W.R., C.K.M.).,Division of Translational Medicine (C.W.R., E.M.S., E.J., C.K.M)
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke G Eckersley
- Fetal and Neonatal Cardiology Program, Echocardiography Laboratory, Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (L.G.E., L.K.H.)
| | - Lisa K Hornberger
- Fetal and Neonatal Cardiology Program, Echocardiography Laboratory, Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (L.G.E., L.K.H.).,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women and Children's Health Research, Mazankowski Alberta Heart Institutes, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada (L.K.H.)
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Haris K, Hedström E, Kording F, Bidhult S, Steding-Ehrenborg K, Ruprecht C, Heiberg E, Arheden H, Aletras AH. Free-breathing fetal cardiac MRI with doppler ultrasound gating, compressed sensing, and motion compensation. J Magn Reson Imaging 2019; 51:260-272. [PMID: 31228302 PMCID: PMC6916642 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.26842] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 06/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fetal cardiovascular MRI complements ultrasound to assess fetal cardiovascular pathophysiology. Purpose To develop a free‐breathing method for retrospective fetal cine MRI using Doppler ultrasound (DUS) cardiac gating and tiny golden angle radial sampling (tyGRASP) for accelerated acquisition capable of detecting fetal movements for motion compensation. Study Type Feasibility study. Subjects Nine volunteers (gestational week 34–40). Short‐axis and four‐chamber views were acquired during maternal free‐breathing and breath‐hold. Field Strength/Sequence 1.5T cine balanced steady‐state free precession. Assessment A self‐gated reconstruction method was improved for clinical application by using 1) retrospective DUS gating, and 2) motion detection and rejection/correction algorithms for compensating for fetal motion. The free‐breathing reconstructions were qualitatively and quantitatively assessed, and DUS‐gating was compared with self‐gating in breath‐hold reconstructions. A scoring of 1–4 for overall image quality, cardiac, and extracardiac diagnostic quality was used. Statistical Tests Friedman's test was used to assess differences in qualitative scoring between observers. A Wilcoxon matched‐pairs signed rank test was used to assess differences between breath‐hold and free‐breathing acquisitions and between observers' quantitative measurements. Results In all cases, 111 free‐breathing and 145 breath‐hold acquisitions, the automatically calculated DUS‐based cardiac gating signal provided reconstructions of diagnostic quality (median score 4, range 1–4). Free‐breathing did not affect the DUS‐based cardiac gated retrospective radial reconstruction with respect to image or diagnostic quality (all P > 0.06). Motion detection with rejection/correction in k‐space produced high‐quality free‐breathing DUS‐based reconstructions [median 3, range (2–4)], whereas free‐breathing self‐gated methods failed in 80 out of 88 cases to produce a stable gating signal. Data Conclusion Free‐breathing fetal cine cardiac MRI based on DUS gating and tyGRASP with motion compensation yields diagnostic images. This simplifies acquisition for the pregnant woman and thus could help increase fetal cardiac MRI acceptance in the clinic. Level of Evidence: 2 Technical Efficacy Stage: 1 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:260–272.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kostas Haris
- Laboratory of Computing, Medical Informatics and Biomedical-Imaging Technologies, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.,Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Clinical Physiology, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Erik Hedström
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Clinical Physiology, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Diagnostic Radiology, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Fabian Kording
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Bidhult
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Clinical Physiology, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Katarina Steding-Ehrenborg
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Clinical Physiology, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Health Sciences, Physiotherapy, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Christian Ruprecht
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Einar Heiberg
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Clinical Physiology, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Håkan Arheden
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Clinical Physiology, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anthony H Aletras
- Laboratory of Computing, Medical Informatics and Biomedical-Imaging Technologies, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.,Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Clinical Physiology, Lund University, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
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26
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Marini D, van Amerom J, Saini BS, Sun L, Seed M. MR imaging of the fetal heart. J Magn Reson Imaging 2019; 51:1030-1044. [PMID: 31190452 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.26815] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2019] [Revised: 05/20/2019] [Accepted: 05/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In the last decade, technological advances have enabled the acquisition of high spatial and temporal resolution cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the fetus. Fetal cardiac MRI has emerged as an alternative to ultrasound, which may be helpful to confirm a diagnosis of congenital heart disease when ultrasound assessment is hampered, for example in late gestation or in the setting of oligohydramnios. MRI also provides unique physiologic information, including vessel blood flow, oxygen saturation and hematocrit, which may be helpful to investigate cardiac and placental diseases. In this review, we summarize some of the main techniques and significant advances in the field to date. Level of Evidence: 5 Technical Efficacy: Stage 5 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2020;51:1030-1044.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Marini
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto and Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Joshua van Amerom
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto and Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Brahmdeep S Saini
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto and Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Liqun Sun
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto and Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Mike Seed
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto and Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
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Roy CW, Marini D, Segars WP, Seed M, Macgowan CK. Fetal XCMR: a numerical phantom for fetal cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2019; 21:29. [PMID: 31118056 PMCID: PMC6532268 DOI: 10.1186/s12968-019-0539-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 04/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Validating new techniques for fetal cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is challenging due to random fetal movement that precludes repeat measurements. Consequently, fetal CMR development has been largely performed using physical phantoms or postnatal volunteers. In this work, we present an open-source simulation designed to aid in the development and validation of new approaches for fetal CMR. Our approach, fetal extended Cardiac-Torso cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (Fetal XCMR), builds on established methods for simulating CMR acquisitions but is tailored toward the dynamic physiology of the fetal heart and body. We present comparisons between the Fetal XCMR phantom and data acquired in utero, resulting in image quality, anatomy, tissue signals and contrast. METHODS Existing extended Cardiac-Torso models are modified to create maternal and fetal anatomy, combined according to simulated motion, mapped to CMR contrast, and converted to CMR data. To provide a comparison between the proposed simulation and experimental fetal CMR images acquired in utero, images from a typical scan of a pregnant woman are included and simulated acquisitions were generated using matching CMR parameters, motion and noise levels. Three reconstruction (static, real-time, and CINE), and two motion estimation methods (translational motion, fetal heart rate) from data acquired in transverse, sagittal, coronal, and short-axis planes of the fetal heart were performed to compare to in utero acquisitions and demonstrate feasibility of the proposed simulation framework. RESULTS Overall, CMR contrast, morphologies, and relative proportions of the maternal and fetal anatomy are well represented by the Fetal XCMR images when comparing the simulation to static images acquired in utero. Additionally, visualization of maternal respiratory and fetal cardiac motion is comparable between Fetal XCMR and in utero real-time images. Finally, high quality CINE image reconstructions provide excellent delineation of fetal cardiac anatomy and temporal dynamics for both data types. CONCLUSION The fetal CMR phantom provides a new method for evaluating fetal CMR acquisition and reconstruction methods by simulating the underlying anatomy and physiology. As the field of fetal CMR continues to grow, new methods will become available and require careful validation. The fetal CMR phantom is therefore a powerful and convenient tool in the continued development of fetal cardiac imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher W. Roy
- Department of Radiology, Lausanne University Hospital (CHUV) and University of Lausanne (UNIL), Lausanne, Vaud Switzerland
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada
- Division of Translational Medicine, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research & Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4 Canada
| | - Davide Marini
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario Canada
| | - William Paul Segars
- Department of Radiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina USA
| | - Mike Seed
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario Canada
- Departments of Pediatrics and Diagnostic Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada
| | - Christopher K. Macgowan
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario Canada
- Division of Translational Medicine, Peter Gilgan Centre for Research & Learning, The Hospital for Sick Children, 686 Bay Street, Toronto, ON M5G 0A4 Canada
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28
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van Amerom JFP, Lloyd DFA, Deprez M, Price AN, Malik SJ, Pushparajah K, van Poppel MPM, Rutherford MA, Razavi R, Hajnal JV. Fetal whole-heart 4D imaging using motion-corrected multi-planar real-time MRI. Magn Reson Med 2019; 82:1055-1072. [PMID: 31081250 PMCID: PMC6617816 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.27798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2018] [Revised: 03/24/2019] [Accepted: 04/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose To develop an MRI acquisition and reconstruction framework for volumetric cine visualization of the fetal heart and great vessels in the presence of maternal and fetal motion. Methods Four‐dimensional (4D) depiction was achieved using a highly‐accelerated multi‐planar real‐time balanced steady‐state free precession acquisition combined with retrospective image‐domain techniques for motion correction, cardiac synchronization and outlier rejection. The framework was validated using a numerical phantom and evaluated in a study of 20 mid‐ to late‐gestational age human fetal subjects (23‐33 weeks gestational age). Reconstructed MR data were compared with matched ultrasound. A preliminary assessment of flow‐sensitive reconstruction using the velocity information encoded in the phase of real‐time images is included. Results Reconstructed 4D data could be visualized in any two‐dimensional plane without the need for highly specific scan plane prescription prior to acquisition or for maternal breath hold to minimize motion. Reconstruction was fully automated aside from user‐specified masks of the fetal heart and chest. The framework proved robust when applied to fetal data and simulations confirmed that spatial and temporal features could be reliably recovered. Evaluation suggested the reconstructed framework has the potential to be used for comprehensive assessment of the fetal heart, either as an adjunct to ultrasound or in combination with other MRI techniques. Conclusions The proposed methods show promise as a framework for motion‐compensated 4D assessment of the fetal heart and great vessels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua F P van Amerom
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David F A Lloyd
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Congenital Heart Disease, Evelina Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Deprez
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony N Price
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shaihan J Malik
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kuberan Pushparajah
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Congenital Heart Disease, Evelina Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Milou P M van Poppel
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mary A Rutherford
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Centre for the Developing Brain, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Reza Razavi
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Congenital Heart Disease, Evelina Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph V Hajnal
- School of Biomedical Engineering & Imaging Sciences, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Centre for the Developing Brain, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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Tavares de Sousa M, Hecher K, Yamamura J, Kording F, Ruprecht C, Fehrs K, Behzadi C, Adam G, Schoennagel BP. Dynamic fetal cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in four-chamber view using Doppler ultrasound gating in normal fetal heart and in congenital heart disease: comparison with fetal echocardiography. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2019; 53:669-675. [PMID: 30381848 DOI: 10.1002/uog.20167] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2018] [Revised: 09/20/2018] [Accepted: 09/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To investigate the diagnostic performance of dynamic fetal cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), using a MR-compatible Doppler ultrasound (DUS) device for fetal cardiac gating, in differentiating fetuses with congenital heart disease from those with a normal heart, and to compare the technique with fetal echocardiography. METHODS This was a prospective study of eight fetuses with a normal heart and four with congenital heart disease (CHD), at a median of 34 (range, 28-36) weeks' gestation. Dynamic fetal cardiac MRI was performed using a DUS device for direct cardiac gating. The four-chamber view was evaluated according to qualitative findings. Measurements of the length of the left and right ventricles, diameter of the tricuspid and mitral valves, myocardial wall thickness, transverse cardiac diameter and left ventricular planimetry were performed. Fetal echocardiography and postnatal diagnoses were considered the reference standards. RESULTS Direct cardiac gating allowed continuous triggering of the fetal heart, showing high temporal and spatial resolution. Both fetal cardiac MRI and echocardiography in the four-chamber view detected pathological findings in three of the 12 fetuses. Qualitative evaluation revealed overall consistency between echocardiography and MRI. On both echocardiography and MRI, quantitative measurements revealed significant differences between fetuses with a normal heart and those with CHD with respect to the length of the right (P < 0.01 for both) and left (P < 0.01 for both) ventricles and transverse cardiac diameter (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). Tricuspid valve diameter on cardiac MRI was found to be significantly different in healthy fetuses from in those with CHD (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS For the first time, this study has shown that dynamic fetal cardiac MRI in the four-chamber view, using external cardiac gating, allows evaluation of cardiac anatomy and diagnosis of congenital heart disease in agreement with fetal echocardiography. Dynamic fetal cardiac MRI may be useful as a second-line investigation if conditions for fetal echocardiography are unfavorable. Copyright © 2018 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Tavares de Sousa
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - K Hecher
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - J Yamamura
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - F Kording
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - C Ruprecht
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - K Fehrs
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - C Behzadi
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - G Adam
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
| | - B P Schoennagel
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Hamburg, Germany
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Bhat M, Haris K, Bidhult S, Liuba P, Aletras AH, Hedström E. Fetal iGRASP cine CMR assisting in prenatal diagnosis of complicated cardiac malformation with impact on delivery planning. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging 2019; 39:231-235. [PMID: 30785656 PMCID: PMC6850003 DOI: 10.1111/cpf.12566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2018] [Accepted: 02/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Limited visualization of the fetal heart and vessels by fetal ultrasound due to suboptimal fetal position, patient habitus and skeletal calcification may lead to missed diagnosis, overdiagnosis and parental uncertainty. Counselling and delivery planning may in those cases also be tentative. The recent fetal cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) reconstruction method utilizing tiny golden‐angle iGRASP (iterative Golden‐angle RAdial Sparse Parallel MRI) allows for cine imaging of the fetal heart for use in clinical practice. This case describes an unbalanced common atrioventricular canal where limited ultrasound image quality and visibility of the aortic arch precluded confirming or ruling out presence of a ventricular septal defect. Need of prostaglandins or neonatal intervention was thus uncertain. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging confirmed ultrasound findings and added value by ruling out a significant ventricular septal defect and diagnosing arch hypoplasia. This confirmed the need of patient relocation for delivery at a paediatric cardiothoracic surgery centre and prostaglandins could be initiated before the standard postnatal ultrasound. The applied CMR method can thus improve diagnosis of complicated fetal cardiac malformation and has direct clinical impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Misha Bhat
- Pediatric Cardiac Center, Skåne University Hospital and Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Kostas Haris
- Laboratory of Computing, Medical Informatics and Biomedical - Imaging Technologies, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.,Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Clinical Physiology, Skåne University Hospital, and Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Sebastian Bidhult
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Clinical Physiology, Skåne University Hospital, and Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Petru Liuba
- Pediatric Cardiac Center, Skåne University Hospital and Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Anthony H Aletras
- Laboratory of Computing, Medical Informatics and Biomedical - Imaging Technologies, School of Medicine, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece.,Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Clinical Physiology, Skåne University Hospital, and Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| | - Erik Hedström
- Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Clinical Physiology, Skåne University Hospital, and Lund University, Lund, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Sciences Lund, Diagnostic Radiology, Skåne University Hospital and Lund University, Lund, Sweden
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Goolaub DS, Roy CW, Schrauben E, Sussman D, Marini D, Seed M, Macgowan CK. Multidimensional fetal flow imaging with cardiovascular magnetic resonance: a feasibility study. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2018; 20:77. [PMID: 30486832 PMCID: PMC6264058 DOI: 10.1186/s12968-018-0498-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To image multidimensional flow in fetuses using golden-angle radial phase contrast cardiovascular magnetic resonance (PC-CMR) with motion correction and retrospective gating. METHODS A novel PC-CMR method was developed using an ungated golden-angle radial acquisition with continuously incremented velocity encoding. Healthy subjects (n = 5, 27 ± 3 years, males) and pregnant females (n = 5, 34 ± 2 weeks gestation) were imaged at 3 T using the proposed sequence. Real-time reconstructions were first performed for retrospective motion correction and cardiac gating (using metric optimized gating, MOG). CINE reconstructions of multidimensional flow were then performed using the corrected and gated data. RESULTS In adults, flows obtained using the proposed method agreed strongly with those obtained using a conventionally gated Cartesian acquisition. Across the five adults, bias and limits of agreement were - 1.0 cm/s and [- 5.1, 3.2] cm/s for mean velocities and - 1.1 cm/s and [- 6.5, 4.3] cm/s for peak velocities. Temporal correlation between corresponding waveforms was also high (R~ 0.98). Calculated timing errors between MOG and pulse-gating RR intervals were low (~ 20 ms). First insights into multidimensional fetal blood flows were achieved. Inter-subject consistency in fetal descending aortic flows (n = 3) was strong with an average velocity of 27.1 ± 0.4 cm/s, peak systolic velocity of 70.0 ± 1.8 cm/s and an intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.95 between the velocity waveforms. In one fetal case, high flow waveform reproducibility was demonstrated in the ascending aorta (R = 0.97) and main pulmonary artery (R = 0.99). CONCLUSION Multidimensional PC-CMR of fetal flow was developed and validated, incorporating retrospective motion compensation and cardiac gating. Using this method, the first quantification and visualization of multidimensional fetal blood flow was achieved using CMR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Datta Singh Goolaub
- Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
- Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | | | - Eric Schrauben
- Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Dafna Sussman
- Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON Canada
- Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), Ryerson University and St. Michael’s Hospital, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Davide Marini
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Mike Seed
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Christopher K. Macgowan
- Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
- Translational Medicine, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
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Dong SZ, Zhu M. MR imaging of subaortic and retroesophageal anomalous courses of the left brachiocephalic vein in the fetus. Sci Rep 2018; 8:14781. [PMID: 30283087 PMCID: PMC6170443 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-018-33033-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 09/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to report fetal cases of subaortic and retroesophageal anomalous courses of the left brachiocephalic vein (LBCV) evaluated by fetal cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A retrospective review of 7282 fetal cardiac MRI from June 2006 to March 2017, nine cases of anomalous courses of the LBCV were correctly diagnosed by fetal cardiac MRI, one case of abnormal subaortic left brachiocephalic vein (ASLBV) missed by fetal MRI was identified postnatally during further imaging of the TOF. The diagnosis was confirmed postnatally by cardiac CT/MRI. An ASLBV was found in 8 cases, a retroesophageal LBCV was found in 2 additional cases with right aortic arch and aberrant left subclavian artery. 3 of 8 ASLBV cases were with a right aortic arch, 4 ASLBV cases had additional cardiovascular anomalies with one case isolated. 7 of 8 ASLBV and 2 retroesophageal LBCV were correctly diagnosed by fetal cardiac MRI; however fetal cardiac MRI missed 2 cases of associated pulmonary atresia (PA). Prenatal echocardiography (echo) correctly diagnosed five ASLBV and one retroesophageal LBCV as well as associated intracardiac anomalies. Fetal cardiac MRI can be a useful adjunct in the identification of subaortic and retroesophageal anomalous courses of the LBCV prenatally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Zhen Dong
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Ming Zhu
- Department of Radiology, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China.
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Kording F, Schoennagel BP, de Sousa MT, Fehrs K, Adam G, Yamamura J, Ruprecht C. Evaluation of a Portable Doppler Ultrasound Gating Device for Fetal Cardiac MR Imaging: Initial Results at 1.5T and 3T. Magn Reson Med Sci 2018; 17:308-317. [PMID: 29467359 PMCID: PMC6196307 DOI: 10.2463/mrms.mp.2017-0100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Fetal cardiac MRI has the potential to play an important role in the assessment of fetal cardiac pathologies, but it is up to now not feasible due to a missing gating method. The purpose of this work was the evaluation of Doppler ultrasound (DUS) for external fetal cardiac gating with regard to compatibility, functionality, and reliability. Preliminary results were assessed performing fetal cardiac MRI. Methods: An MRI conditional DUS device was developed to obtain a gating signal from the fetal heart. The MRI compatibility was evaluated at 1.5T and 3T using B1 field maps and gradient echo images. The quality and sensitivity of the DUS device to detect the fetal heart motion for cardiac gating were evaluated outside the MRI room in 15 fetuses. A dynamic fetal cardiac phantom was employed to evaluate distortions of the DUS device and gating signal due to electromagnetic interferences at 1.5T and 3T. In the first in vivo experience, dynamic fetal cardiac images were acquired in four-chamber view at 1.5T and 3T in two fetuses. Results: The maximum change in the B1 field and signal intensity with and without the DUS device was <6.5% for 1.5T and 3T. The sensitivity of the DUS device to detect the fetal heartbeat was 99.1%. Validation of the DUS device using the fetal cardiac phantom revealed no electromagnetic interferences at 1.5T or 3T and a high correlation to the simulated heart frequencies. Fetal cardiac cine images were successfully applied and showed good image quality. Conclusion: An MR conditional DUS gating device was developed and evaluated revealing safety, compatibility, and reliability for different field strengths. In a preliminary experience, the DUS device was successfully applied for in vivo fetal cardiac imaging at 1.5T and 3T.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian Kording
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf.,northh medical GmbH
| | - Bjoern P Schoennagel
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | | | - Kai Fehrs
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf.,northh medical GmbH
| | - Gerhard Adam
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - Jin Yamamura
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf
| | - Christian Ruprecht
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf.,northh medical GmbH
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Abstract
Fast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) led to the emergence of 'cine MRI' techniques, which enable the visualization of the beating heart and the assessment of cardiac morphology and dynamics. However, established cine MRI methods are not suitable for fetal heart imaging in utero, where anatomical structures are considerably smaller and recording an electrocardiogram signal for synchronizing MRI data acquisition is difficult. Here we present a framework to overcome these challenges. We use methods for image acquisition and reconstruction that robustly produce images with sufficient spatial and temporal resolution to detect the heart contractions of the fetus, enabling a retrospective gating of the images and thus the generation of images of the beating heart. To underline the potential of our approach, we acquired in utero images in six pregnant patients and compared these with their echocardiograms. We found good agreement in terms of diameter and area measurements, and low inter- and intra- observer variability. These results establish MRI as a reliable modality for fetal cardiac imaging, with a substantial potential for prenatal evaluation of congenital heart defects.
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Crowe LA, Manasseh G, Chmielewski A, Hachulla AL, Speicher D, Greiser A, Muller H, de Perrot T, Vallee JP, Salomir R. Spatially Resolved MR-Compatible Doppler Ultrasound: Proof of Concept for Triggering of Diagnostic Quality Cardiovascular MRI for Function and Flow Quantification at 3T. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2017; 65:294-306. [PMID: 29053451 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2017.2764111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We demonstrate the use of a magnetic-resonance (MR)-compatible ultrasound (US) imaging probe using spatially resolved Doppler for diagnostic quality cardiovascular MR imaging (MRI) as an initial step toward hybrid US/MR fetal imaging. METHODS A newly developed technology for a dedicated MR-compatible phased array ultrasound-imaging probe acquired pulsed color Doppler carotid images, which were converted in near-real time to a trigger signal for cardiac cine and flow quantification MRI. Ultrasound and MR data acquired simultaneously were interference free. Conventional electrocardiogram (ECG) and the proposed spatially resolved Doppler triggering were compared in 10 healthy volunteers. A synthetic "false-triggered" image was retrospectively processed using metric optimized gating (MOG). Images were scored by expert readers, and sharpness, cardiac function and aortic flow were quantified. Four-dimensional (4-D) flow (two volunteers) showed feasibility of Doppler triggering over a long acquisition time. RESULTS Imaging modalities were compatible. US probe positioning was stable and comfortable. Image quality scores and quantified sharpness were statistically equal for Doppler- and ECG-triggering (p ). ECG-, Doppler-triggered, and MOG ejection fractions were equivalent (p ), with false-triggered values significantly lower (p < 0.0005). Aortic flow showed no difference between ECG- and Doppler-triggered and MOG (p > 0.05). 4-D flow quantification gave consistent results between ECG and Doppler triggering. CONCLUSION We report interference-free pulsed color Doppler ultrasound during MR data acquisition. Cardiovascular MRI of diagnostic quality was successfully obtained with pulsed color Doppler triggering. SIGNIFICANCE The hardware platform could further enable advanced free-breathing cardiac imaging. Doppler ultrasound triggering is applicable where ECG is compromised due to pathology or interference at higher magnetic fields, and where direct ECG is impossible, i.e., fetal imaging.
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van Amerom JFP, Lloyd DFA, Price AN, Kuklisova Murgasova M, Aljabar P, Malik SJ, Lohezic M, Rutherford MA, Pushparajah K, Razavi R, Hajnal JV. Fetal cardiac cine imaging using highly accelerated dynamic MRI with retrospective motion correction and outlier rejection. Magn Reson Med 2017; 79:327-338. [PMID: 28370252 PMCID: PMC5763466 DOI: 10.1002/mrm.26686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2016] [Revised: 03/01/2017] [Accepted: 03/03/2017] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Development of a MRI acquisition and reconstruction strategy to depict fetal cardiac anatomy in the presence of maternal and fetal motion. METHODS The proposed strategy involves i) acquisition and reconstruction of highly accelerated dynamic MRI, followed by image-based ii) cardiac synchronization, iii) motion correction, iv) outlier rejection, and finally v) cardiac cine reconstruction. Postprocessing entirely was automated, aside from a user-defined region of interest delineating the fetal heart. The method was evaluated in 30 mid- to late gestational age singleton pregnancies scanned without maternal breath-hold. RESULTS The combination of complementary acquisition/reconstruction and correction/rejection steps in the pipeline served to improve the quality of the reconstructed 2D cine images, resulting in increased visibility of small, dynamic anatomical features. Artifact-free cine images successfully were produced in 36 of 39 acquired data sets; prolonged general fetal movements precluded processing of the remaining three data sets. CONCLUSIONS The proposed method shows promise as a motion-tolerant framework to enable further detail in MRI studies of the fetal heart and great vessels. Processing data in image-space allowed for spatial and temporal operations to be applied to the fetal heart in isolation, separate from extraneous changes elsewhere in the field of view. Magn Reson Med 79:327-338, 2018. © 2017 The Authors Magnetic Resonance in Medicine published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Society for Magnetic Resonance in Medicine. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits use, distribution and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua F P van Amerom
- Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - David F A Lloyd
- Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Congenital Heart Disease, Evelina Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony N Price
- Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Kuklisova Murgasova
- Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Paul Aljabar
- Centre for the Developing Brain, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Shaihan J Malik
- Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maelene Lohezic
- Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Mary A Rutherford
- Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Centre for the Developing Brain, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Kuberan Pushparajah
- Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Congenital Heart Disease, Evelina Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Reza Razavi
- Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, United Kingdom.,Department of Congenital Heart Disease, Evelina Children's Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph V Hajnal
- Division of Imaging Sciences and Biomedical Engineering, King's College London, London, United Kingdom
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Roy CW, Seed M, Kingdom JC, Macgowan CK. Motion compensated cine CMR of the fetal heart using radial undersampling and compressed sensing. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson 2017; 19:29. [PMID: 28316282 PMCID: PMC5357808 DOI: 10.1186/s12968-017-0346-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2016] [Accepted: 02/18/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND To develop and evaluate a reconstruction framework for high resolution time-resolved CMR of the fetal heart in the presence of motion. METHODS Data were acquired using a golden angle radial trajectory in seven fetal subjects and reconstructed as real-time images to detect fetal movement. Data acquired during through-plane motion were discarded whereas in-plane motion was corrected. A fetal cardiac gating signal was extracted to sort the corrected data by cardiac phase, allowing reconstruction of cine images. The quality of motion corrected images and the effect of data undersampling were quantified using separate expressions for spatial blur and image error. RESULTS Motion corrected reordered cine reconstructions (127 slices) showed improved image quality relative to both uncorrected cines and corresponding real-time images across a range of root-mean-squared (RMS) displacements (0.3-3.7 mm) and fetal heart rates (119-176 bpm). The relative spatial blur between cines with and without motion correction increased with in-plane RMS displacement leading to an effective decrease in the effective spatial resolution for images without motion correction. Image error between undersampled and reference images was less than 10% for reconstructions using 750 or more spokes, yielding a minimum acceptable scan time of approximately 4 s/slice during quiescent through plane motion. CONCLUSIONS By rejecting data corrupted by through-plane motion, and correcting data corrupted by in-plane translation, the proposed reconstruction framework accounts for common sources of motion artifact (gross fetal movement, maternal respiration, fetal cardiac contraction) to produce high quality images of the fetal heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher W. Roy
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
- Division of Physiology and Experimental Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Mike Seed
- Division of Pediatric Cardiology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
- Departments of Pediatrics and Diagnostic Imaging, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - John C. Kingdom
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, ON Canada
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
| | - Christopher K. Macgowan
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON Canada
- Division of Physiology and Experimental Medicine, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON Canada
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Porayette P, Madathil S, Sun L, Jaeggi E, Grosse-Wortmann L, Yoo SJ, Hickey E, Miller SP, Macgowan CK, Seed M. MRI reveals hemodynamic changes with acute maternal hyperoxygenation in human fetuses with and without congenital heart disease. Prenat Diagn 2016; 36:274-81. [PMID: 26701792 DOI: 10.1002/pd.4762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2015] [Revised: 12/01/2015] [Accepted: 12/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We investigated the physiologic impact of acute maternal hyperoxygenation (MH) in human fetuses with and without congenital heart disease (CHD) using fetal cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in order to explore the potential therapeutic benefits of chronic MH. METHODS We examined 17 normal and 20 late gestation human fetuses with CHD on a 1.5 T CMR system. Flows were measured in major fetal vessels using phase contrast MRI. The T2 of umbilical venous blood was measured using T2 mapping. The measurements were repeated during acute MH. The results were compared using a Student's t-test, with p-value ≤0.05 considered statistically significant. RESULTS At baseline, the umbilical venous T2 (oxygen saturation) was lower in CHD fetuses than in normals, with significant increase with MH (p = 0.01). Both groups showed significant increase in pulmonary blood flow during MH, which was more dramatic in CHD (p = 0.005). There was a reduction in ductus arteriosus flow in CHD during MH (p = 0.04). There was no significant difference in blood flow in any of the other major vessels. CONCLUSION This study suggests that fetal MR identifies the expected hemodynamic changes associated with acute MH. MRI could be useful as a method for monitoring the impact of chronic MH in fetuses with CHD.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Liqun Sun
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Edgar Jaeggi
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Shi-Joon Yoo
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Edward Hickey
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Mike Seed
- The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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