Choosing Between MRI and CT Imaging in the Adult with Congenital Heart Disease

A clinically applicable AI system for diagnosis of congenital heart diseases based on computed tomography images

Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common type of birth defect. Without timely detection and treatment, approximately one-third of children with CHD would die in the infant period. However, due to the complicated heart structures, early diagnosis of CHD and its types is quite challenging, even for experienced radiologists. Here, we present an artificial intelligence (AI) system that achieves a comparable performance of human experts in the critical task of classifying 17 categories of CHD types. We collected the first-large CT dataset from three different CT machines, including more than 3750 CHD patients over 14 years. Experimental results demonstrate that it can achieve diagnosis accuracy (86.03%) comparable with junior cardiovascular radiologists (86.27%) in a World Health Organization appointed research and cooperation center in China on most types of CHD, and obtains a higher sensitivity (82.91%) than junior cardiovascular radiologists (76.18%). The accuracy of the combination of our AI system (97.20%) and senior radiologists achieves comparable results to that of junior radiologists and senior radiologists (97.16%) which is the current clinical routine. Our AI system can further provide 3D visualization of hearts to senior radiologists for interpretation and flexible review, surgeons for precise intuition of heart structures, and clinicians for more precise outcome prediction. We demonstrate the potential of our model to be integrated into current clinic practice to improve the diagnosis of CHD globally, especially in regions where experienced radiologists can be scarce.

Clinical characteristics of tetralogy of Fallot with left pulmonary artery acute angulation on computed tomography

Left pulmonary artery (LPA) stenosis with acute angulation commonly necessitates surgical revision in the treatment of tetralogy of Fallot (TOF). We investigated the clinical characteristics of acute angulation of the LPA in patients with TOF via computed tomography (CT). Between 2011 and 2022, 160 patients were diagnosed with TOF using CT. After excluding 28 patients due to insufficient records or age, 132 patients were included in the present analysis. The patients were divided into two groups according to the presence or absence of acute angulation of the LPA: group I (TOF with an acute angle of the LPA, n = 53) and group II (TOF without an acute angle of the LPA, n = 79). We retrospectively collected clinical data from electronic medical records. T-tests were used to analyze continuous variables (i.e., age, sex, weight, right ventricular outflow tract [RVOT] pressure on echocardiography, and distance to bifurcation), and Fisher's exact and chi-square tests were used to analyze categorical data (i.e., presence of the right aortic arch, pulmonary arterial atresia/hypoplasia, atrial septal defect [ASD], patent ductus arteriosus [PDA], and pulmonary valve). The groups did not differ significantly in terms of sex, weight, presence of the right aortic arch, pulmonary arterial atresia/hypoplasia, ASD, or distance to the bifurcation. Moreover, there was no significant difference between the presence and absence of PDA (P = 0.057); however, patients in group I were significantly older (143.2 ± 97.8 days) than those in group II (91.1 ± 76.0 days, P = 0.002). Furthermore, RVOT pressure was significantly higher among patients in group I (45.1 ± 22.5 mmHg) than in group II (25.0 ± 12.4 mmHg, P < 0.001). In the current study, acute angulation of the LPA in patients with TOF, as observed on CT, was associated with older age and higher RVOT pressure on echocardiography.

Non-invasive pediatric cardiac imaging-current status and further perspectives

BACKGROUND

Non-invasive cardiac imaging has a growing role in diagnosis, differential diagnosis, therapy planning, and follow-up in children and adolescents with congenital and acquired cardiac diseases. This review is based on a systematic analysis of international peer-reviewed articles and additionally presents own clinical experiences. It provides an overview of technical advances, emerging clinical applications, and the aspect of artificial intelligence.

MAIN BODY

The main imaging modalities are echocardiography, CT, and MRI. For echocardiography, strain imaging allows a novel non-invasive assessment of tissue integrity, 3D imaging rapid holistic overviews of anatomy. Fast cardiac CT imaging new techniques-especially for coronary assessment as the main clinical indication-have significantly improved spatial and temporal resolution in adjunct with a major reduction in ionizing dose. For cardiac MRI, assessment of tissue integrity even without contrast agent application by mapping sequences is a major technical breakthrough. Fetal cardiac MRI is an emerging technology, which allows structural and functional assessment of fetal hearts including even 4D flow analyses. Last but not least, artificial intelligence will play an important role for improvements of data acquisition and interpretation in the near future.

CONCLUSION

Non-invasive cardiac imaging plays an integral part in the workup of children with heart disease. In recent years, its main application congenital heart disease has been widened for acquired cardiac diseases.

Assessment of superior cavo-pulmonary anastomoses (Glenn shunt) by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in comparison with multi-slice computed tomography

Background

Multi-slice computed tomography (MSCT) angiography is the gold standard imaging modality to evaluate the patency of Glenn shunt and the presence of veno–veno collaterals. The goal of this study is to evaluate the ability of two cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques to assess the patency of Glenn shunt and the presence of veno–veno collaterals compared to MSCT angiography.

Results

Patients with Glenn shunt had MSCT angiography and cardiac MRI using two techniques: TWIST (Time-resolved angiography With Stochastic Trajectories) and the three-dimensional (3D) post-contrast whole heart techniques. MSCT angiography and cardiac MRI images were post-processed for quantitative and qualitative assessment of Glenn shunt and veno–veno collaterals. Our study included 29 patients (17 male, 59%) with Glenn shunt, the median age was 22 years (range 3–36 years). 3D post-contrast whole heart images give similar results compared to MSCT angiography results in the evaluation of Glenn shunt and veno–veno collaterals, 100% agreement in Glenn shunt visualization and agreement was 86.2% in the detection of veno–veno collaterals with a perfect agreement (kappa = 1) as regards their proximal connection to superior vena cava (SVC). While TWIST showed lower agreement compared to MSCT angiography results, 87.5% agreement in Glenn shunt visualization and agreement was 68.9% in the detection of veno–veno collaterals with poor agreement (kappa = 0.266) as regards their proximal connection to SVC.

Conclusions

3D post-contrast whole heart MRI images have similar results as MSCT angiography in the evaluation of superior cavo-pulmonary anastomosis and can be a good and safer alternative to MSCT angiography.

Imaging the adult with simple shunt lesions: position paper from the EACVI and the ESC WG on ACHD. Endorsed by AEPC (Association for European Paediatric and Congenital Cardiology)

In 2018, the position paper 'Imaging the adult with congenital heart disease: a multimodality imaging approach' was published. The paper highlights, in the first part, the different imaging modalities applied in adult congenital heart disease patients. In the second part, these modalities are discussed more detailed for moderate to complex anatomical defects. Because of the length of the paper, simple lesions were not touched on. However, imaging modalities to use for simple shunt lesions are still poorly known. One is looking for structured recommendations on which they can rely when dealing with an (undiscovered) shunt lesion. This information is lacking for the initial diagnostic process, during repair and at follow-up. Therefore, this paper will focus on atrial septal defect, ventricular septal defect, and persistent arterial duct. Pre-, intra-, and post-procedural imaging techniques will be systematically discussed. This position paper will offer algorithms that might help at a glance. The document is prepared for general cardiologists, trainees, medical students, imagers/technicians to select the most appropriate imaging modality and to detect the requested information for each specific lesion. It might serve as reference to which researchers could refer when setting up a (imaging) study.

CT and MRI for Repaired Complex Adult Congenital Heart Diseases

An increasing number of adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients continue to require life-long diagnostic imaging surveillance using cardiac CT and MRI. These patients typically exhibit a large spectrum of unique anatomical and functional changes resulting from either single- or multi-stage palliation and surgical correction. Radiologists involved in the diagnostic task of monitoring treatment effects and detecting potential complications should be familiar with common cardiac CT and MRI findings observed in patients with repaired complex ACHD. This review article highlights the contemporary role of CT and MRI in three commonly encountered repaired ACHD: repaired tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great arteries after arterial switch operation, and functional single ventricle after Fontan operation.

Tetralogy of Fallot: cardiac imaging evaluation

Thanks to advances in pediatric cardiology, most infants with tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) now survive into adulthood. This relatively new population of adult patients may face long-term complications, including pulmonary regurgitation (PR), right ventricular (RV) tract obstruction, residual shunts, RV dysfunction, and arrythmias. They will often need to undergo pulmonary valve (PV) replacement and other invasive re-interventions. However, the optimal timing for these procedures is challenging, largely due to the complexity of evaluating RV volume and function. The options for the follow-up of these patients have rapidly evolved from an angiography-based approach to the surge of advanced imaging techniques, mainly echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), and computer tomography (CT). In this review, we outline the indications, strengths and limitations of these modalities in the adult TOF population.

Emerging 3D technologies and applications within congenital heart disease: teach, predict, plan and guide

3D visualization technologies have evolved to become a mainstay in the management of congenital heart disease (CHD) with a growing presence within multiple facets. Printed and virtual 3D models allow for a more comprehensive approach to educating trainees and care team members. Computational fluid dynamics can take 3D modeling to the next level, by predicting post-procedural outcomes and helping to determine surgical approach. 3D printing and extended reality are developing resources for pre-procedural planning and intra-procedural guidance with the potential to revolutionize decision-making and procedural success. Challenges still remain within existing technologies and their applications to the CHD field. Addressing these gaps, both by those within and outside of CHD, will transform education and patient care within our field.

Personalized Interventions: A Reality in the Next 20 Years or Pie in the Sky

There is no better representation of the need for personalization of care than the breadth and complexity of congenital heart disease. Advanced imaging modalities are now standard of care in the field, and the advancements being made to three-dimensional visualization technologies are growing as a means of pre-procedural preparation. Incorporating emerging modeling approaches, such as computational fluid dynamics, will push the limits of our ability to predict outcomes, and this information may be both obtained and utilized during a single procedure in the future. Artificial intelligence and customized devices may soon surface as realistic tools for the care of patients with congenital heart disease, as they are showing growing evidence of feasibility within other fields. This review illustrates the great strides that have been made and the persistent challenges that exist within the field of congenital interventional cardiology, a field which must continue to innovate and push the limits to achieve personalization of the interventions it provides.

Repaired Congenital Heart Disease in Older Children and Adults: Up-to-Date Practical Assessment and Characteristic Imaging Findings

Because of a recent increase in survival rates and life expectancy of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), radiologists are facing new challenges when imaging the peculiar anatomy of individuals with repaired CHD. Cardiac computed tomography and magnetic resonance are paramount noninvasive imaging tools that are useful in assessing patients with repaired CHD, and both techniques are increasingly performed in centers where CHD is not the main specialization. This review provides general radiologists with insight into the main issues of imaging patients with repaired CHD, and the most common findings and complications of each individual pathology and its repair.

3D modeling: a future of cardiovascular medicine

Cardiovascular disease resulting from atypical cardiac structures continues to be a leading health concern despite advancements in diagnostic imaging and surgical techniques. However, the ability to visualize spatial relationships using current technologies remains a challenge. Therefore, 3D modeling has gained significant interest to understand complex and atypical cardiovascular disorders. Moreover, 3D modeling can be personalized and patient-specific. 3D models have been demonstrated to aid surgical planning and simulation, enhance communication among surgeons and patients, optimize medical device design, and can be used as a potential teaching tool in medical schools. In this review, we discuss the key components needed to generate cardiac 3D models. We highlight prevalent structural conditions that have utilized 3D modeling in pre-operative planning. Furthermore, we discuss the current limitations of routine use of 3D models in the clinic as well as future directions for utilization of this technology in the cardiovascular field.

Advanced Cardiac Imaging for Complex Adult Congenital Heart Diseases

The population of patients with adult congenital heart disease has grown and is currently estimated to include approximately 1 million people in the United States. Cardiologists and imagers frequently encounter complex patients who have undergone multiple prior operations and interventions. A myriad of imaging tests are currently available, including echocardiography, cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography, all of which collectively provide invaluable information on cardiac anatomy and hemodynamics. Advanced imaging plays a role in diagnosis and preprocedural planning and also determines the need and frequency of follow-up. This article provides a contemporary review of the current role of cardiac imaging in patients with complex congenital heart disease.

General Concepts in Adult Congenital Heart Disease

Congenital heart disease in adults (adult congenital heart disease) is a growing burden for healthcare systems. While infant mortality due to congenital heart disease in the last four decades decreased by almost 3-fold, adult congenital heart disease prevalence increased by more than 2-fold in United States. Adult congenital heart disease prevalence is expected to increase steadily until 2050 in projections. Adult congenital heart disease is a multifaceted problem with many dimensions. This manuscript aims to provide an overview of the common adult congenital heart diseases and summarize important points in management of these diseases with possible problems and complications that the patients and the physicians face.