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Minocha PK, Englund EK, Friesen RM, Fujiwara T, Smith SA, Meyers ML, Browne LP, Barker AJ. Reference Values for Fetal Cardiac Dimensions, Volumes, Ventricular Function and Left Ventricular Longitudinal Strain Using Doppler Ultrasound Gated Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Healthy Third Trimester Fetuses. J Magn Reson Imaging 2024; 60:365-374. [PMID: 37855630 PMCID: PMC11026299 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.29077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recent advances in hardware and software permit the use of cardiac MRI of late gestation fetuses, however there is a paucity of MRI-based reference values. PURPOSE To provide initial data on fetal cardiac MRI-derived cardiac dimensions, volumes, ventricular function, and left ventricular longitudinal strain in healthy developing fetuses >30 weeks gestational age. STUDY TYPE Prospective. POPULATION Twenty-five third trimester (34 ± 1 weeks, range of 32-37 weeks gestation) women with healthy developing fetuses. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE Studies were performed at 1.5 T and 3 T. Cardiac synchronization was achieved with a Doppler ultrasound device. The protocol included T2 single shot turbo spin echo stacks for fetal weight and ultrasound probe positioning, and multiplanar multi-slice cine balanced steady state free precession gradient echo sequences. ASSESSMENT Primary analyses were performed by a single observer. Weight indexed right ventricular (RV) and left ventricular (LV) volumes and function were calculated from short axis (SAX) stacks. Cardiac dimensions were calculated from the four-chamber and SAX stacks. Single plane LV longitudinal strain was calculated from the four-chamber stack. Interobserver variability was assessed in 10 participants. Cardiac MRI values were compared against available published normative fetal echocardiogram data using z-scores. STATISTICAL TESTS Mean and SDs were calculated for baseline maternal/fetal demographics, cardiac dimensions, volumes, ventricular function, and left ventricular longitudinal strain. Bland-Altman and intraclass correlation coefficient analysis was performed to test interobserver variability. RESULTS The mean gestational age was 34 ± 1.4 weeks. The mean RV and LV end diastolic volumes were 3.1 ± 0.6 mL/kg and 2.4 ± 0.5 mL/kg respectively. The mean RV cardiac output was 198 ± 49 mL/min/kg while the mean LV cardiac output was 173 ± 43 mL/min/kg. DATA CONCLUSION This paper reports initial reference values obtained by cardiac MRI in healthy developing third trimester fetuses. MRI generally resulted in slightly larger indexed values (by z-score) compared to reports in literature using fetal echocardiography. EVIDENCE LEVEL 1 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prashant K. Minocha
- Division of Cardiology, Heart Institute, Children’s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, USA
| | - Erin K. Englund
- Department of Radiology, Section of Pediatric Radiology, Children’s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, USA
| | - Richard M. Friesen
- Division of Cardiology, Heart Institute, Children’s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado School of Medicine, USA
| | - Takashi Fujiwara
- Department of Radiology, Section of Pediatric Radiology, Children’s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, USA
| | - Sarah A. Smith
- Department of Radiology, Section of Pediatric Radiology, Children’s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, USA
| | - Mariana L. Meyers
- Department of Radiology, Section of Pediatric Radiology, Children’s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, USA
| | - Lorna P. Browne
- Department of Radiology, Section of Pediatric Radiology, Children’s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, USA
| | - Alex J. Barker
- Department of Radiology, Section of Pediatric Radiology, Children’s Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, USA
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora, Colorado, USA
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Lopez Gonzalez R, Holmes WM. Editorial for "Reference Values for Fetal Cardiac Dimensions, Volumes, Ventricular Function and Left Ventricular Longitudinal Strain Using Doppler Ultrasound Gated Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Healthy Third Trimester Fetuses". J Magn Reson Imaging 2024; 60:375-376. [PMID: 37855664 DOI: 10.1002/jmri.29075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Rosario Lopez Gonzalez
- Department of Clinical Physics and Bioengineering, National Health Service Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - William M Holmes
- Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology, College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
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Vollbrecht TM, Bissell MM, Kording F, Geipel A, Isaak A, Strizek BS, Hart C, Barker AJ, Luetkens JA. Fetal Cardiac MRI Using Doppler US Gating: Emerging Technology and Clinical Implications. Radiol Cardiothorac Imaging 2024; 6:e230182. [PMID: 38602469 PMCID: PMC11056758 DOI: 10.1148/ryct.230182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
Fetal cardiac MRI using Doppler US gating is an emerging technique to support prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease and other cardiovascular abnormalities. Analogous to postnatal electrocardiographically gated cardiac MRI, this technique enables directly gated MRI of the fetal heart throughout the cardiac cycle, allowing for immediate data reconstruction and review of image quality. This review outlines the technical principles and challenges of cardiac MRI with Doppler US gating, such as loss of gating signal due to fetal movement. A practical workflow of patient preparation for the use of Doppler US-gated fetal cardiac MRI in clinical routine is provided. Currently applied MRI sequences (ie, cine or four-dimensional flow imaging), with special consideration of technical adaptations to the fetal heart, are summarized. The authors provide a literature review on the clinical benefits of Doppler US-gated fetal cardiac MRI for gaining additional diagnostic information on cardiovascular malformations and fetal hemodynamics. Finally, future perspectives of Doppler US-gated fetal cardiac MRI and further technical developments to reduce acquisition times and eliminate sources of artifacts are discussed. Keywords: MR Fetal, Ultrasound Doppler, Cardiac, Heart, Congenital, Obstetrics, Fetus Supplemental material is available for this article. © RSNA, 2024.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M. Vollbrecht
- From the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology,
University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany (T.M.V., A.I.,
C.H., J.A.L.); Quantitative Imaging Laboratory Bonn (QILaB), University Hospital
Bonn, Bonn, Germany (T.M.V., A.I., C.H., J.A.L.); Department of Biomedical
Imaging Science, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine,
University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom (M.M.B.); Northh Medical, Hamburg,
Germany (F.K.); Departments of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine (A.G., B.S.S.)
and Pediatric Cardiology (C.H.), University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany;
Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora,
Colo (A.J.B.); Department of Pediatric Radiology, Children’s Hospital
Colorado, Aurora, Colo (A.J.B.)
| | - Malenka M. Bissell
- From the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology,
University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany (T.M.V., A.I.,
C.H., J.A.L.); Quantitative Imaging Laboratory Bonn (QILaB), University Hospital
Bonn, Bonn, Germany (T.M.V., A.I., C.H., J.A.L.); Department of Biomedical
Imaging Science, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine,
University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom (M.M.B.); Northh Medical, Hamburg,
Germany (F.K.); Departments of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine (A.G., B.S.S.)
and Pediatric Cardiology (C.H.), University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany;
Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora,
Colo (A.J.B.); Department of Pediatric Radiology, Children’s Hospital
Colorado, Aurora, Colo (A.J.B.)
| | - Fabian Kording
- From the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology,
University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany (T.M.V., A.I.,
C.H., J.A.L.); Quantitative Imaging Laboratory Bonn (QILaB), University Hospital
Bonn, Bonn, Germany (T.M.V., A.I., C.H., J.A.L.); Department of Biomedical
Imaging Science, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine,
University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom (M.M.B.); Northh Medical, Hamburg,
Germany (F.K.); Departments of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine (A.G., B.S.S.)
and Pediatric Cardiology (C.H.), University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany;
Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora,
Colo (A.J.B.); Department of Pediatric Radiology, Children’s Hospital
Colorado, Aurora, Colo (A.J.B.)
| | - Annegret Geipel
- From the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology,
University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany (T.M.V., A.I.,
C.H., J.A.L.); Quantitative Imaging Laboratory Bonn (QILaB), University Hospital
Bonn, Bonn, Germany (T.M.V., A.I., C.H., J.A.L.); Department of Biomedical
Imaging Science, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine,
University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom (M.M.B.); Northh Medical, Hamburg,
Germany (F.K.); Departments of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine (A.G., B.S.S.)
and Pediatric Cardiology (C.H.), University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany;
Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora,
Colo (A.J.B.); Department of Pediatric Radiology, Children’s Hospital
Colorado, Aurora, Colo (A.J.B.)
| | - Alexander Isaak
- From the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology,
University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany (T.M.V., A.I.,
C.H., J.A.L.); Quantitative Imaging Laboratory Bonn (QILaB), University Hospital
Bonn, Bonn, Germany (T.M.V., A.I., C.H., J.A.L.); Department of Biomedical
Imaging Science, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine,
University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom (M.M.B.); Northh Medical, Hamburg,
Germany (F.K.); Departments of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine (A.G., B.S.S.)
and Pediatric Cardiology (C.H.), University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany;
Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora,
Colo (A.J.B.); Department of Pediatric Radiology, Children’s Hospital
Colorado, Aurora, Colo (A.J.B.)
| | - Brigitte S. Strizek
- From the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology,
University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany (T.M.V., A.I.,
C.H., J.A.L.); Quantitative Imaging Laboratory Bonn (QILaB), University Hospital
Bonn, Bonn, Germany (T.M.V., A.I., C.H., J.A.L.); Department of Biomedical
Imaging Science, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine,
University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom (M.M.B.); Northh Medical, Hamburg,
Germany (F.K.); Departments of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine (A.G., B.S.S.)
and Pediatric Cardiology (C.H.), University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany;
Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora,
Colo (A.J.B.); Department of Pediatric Radiology, Children’s Hospital
Colorado, Aurora, Colo (A.J.B.)
| | - Christopher Hart
- From the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology,
University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany (T.M.V., A.I.,
C.H., J.A.L.); Quantitative Imaging Laboratory Bonn (QILaB), University Hospital
Bonn, Bonn, Germany (T.M.V., A.I., C.H., J.A.L.); Department of Biomedical
Imaging Science, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine,
University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom (M.M.B.); Northh Medical, Hamburg,
Germany (F.K.); Departments of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine (A.G., B.S.S.)
and Pediatric Cardiology (C.H.), University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany;
Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora,
Colo (A.J.B.); Department of Pediatric Radiology, Children’s Hospital
Colorado, Aurora, Colo (A.J.B.)
| | - Alex J. Barker
- From the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology,
University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany (T.M.V., A.I.,
C.H., J.A.L.); Quantitative Imaging Laboratory Bonn (QILaB), University Hospital
Bonn, Bonn, Germany (T.M.V., A.I., C.H., J.A.L.); Department of Biomedical
Imaging Science, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine,
University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom (M.M.B.); Northh Medical, Hamburg,
Germany (F.K.); Departments of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine (A.G., B.S.S.)
and Pediatric Cardiology (C.H.), University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany;
Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora,
Colo (A.J.B.); Department of Pediatric Radiology, Children’s Hospital
Colorado, Aurora, Colo (A.J.B.)
| | - Julian A. Luetkens
- From the Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology,
University Hospital Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127 Bonn, Germany (T.M.V., A.I.,
C.H., J.A.L.); Quantitative Imaging Laboratory Bonn (QILaB), University Hospital
Bonn, Bonn, Germany (T.M.V., A.I., C.H., J.A.L.); Department of Biomedical
Imaging Science, Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine,
University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom (M.M.B.); Northh Medical, Hamburg,
Germany (F.K.); Departments of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine (A.G., B.S.S.)
and Pediatric Cardiology (C.H.), University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany;
Department of Radiology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, Aurora,
Colo (A.J.B.); Department of Pediatric Radiology, Children’s Hospital
Colorado, Aurora, Colo (A.J.B.)
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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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Dargahpour Barough M, Tavares de Sousa M, Hergert B, Fischer R, Huber L, Seliger JM, Kaul MG, Adam G, Herrmann J, Bannas P, Schoennagel BP. Myocardial strain assessment in the human fetus by cardiac MRI using Doppler ultrasound gating and feature tracking. Eur Radiol 2024:10.1007/s00330-023-10551-0. [PMID: 38195730 DOI: 10.1007/s00330-023-10551-0] [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: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 01/11/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Assessment of myocardial strain by feature tracking magnetic resonance imaging (FT-MRI) in human fetuses with and without congenital heart disease (CHD) using cardiac Doppler ultrasound (DUS) gating. METHODS A total of 43 human fetuses (gestational age 28-41 weeks) underwent dynamic cardiac MRI at 3 T. Cine balanced steady-state free-precession imaging was performed using fetal cardiac DUS gating. FT-MRI was analyzed using dedicated post-processing software. Endo- and epicardial contours were manually delineated from fetal cardiac 4-chamber views, followed by automated propagation to calculate global longitudinal strain (GLS) of the left (LV) and right ventricle (RV), LV radial strain, and LV strain rate. RESULTS Strain assessment was successful in 38/43 fetuses (88%); 23 of them had postnatally confirmed diagnosis of CHD (e.g., coarctation, transposition of great arteries) and 15 were heart healthy. Five fetuses were excluded due to reduced image quality. In fetuses with CHD compared to healthy controls, median LV GLS (- 13.2% vs. - 18.9%; p < 0.007), RV GLS (- 7.9% vs. - 16.2%; p < 0.006), and LV strain rate (1.4 s-1 vs. 1.6 s-1; p < 0.003) were significantly higher (i.e., less negative). LV radial strain was without a statistically significant difference (20.7% vs. 22.6%; p = 0.1). Bivariate discriminant analysis for LV GLS and RV GLS revealed a sensitivity of 67% and specificity of 93% to differentiate between fetuses with CHD and healthy fetuses. CONCLUSION Myocardial strain was successfully assessed in the human fetus, performing dynamic fetal cardiac MRI with DUS gating. Our study indicates that strain parameters may allow for differentiation between fetuses with and without CHD. CLINICAL RELEVANCE STATEMENT Myocardial strain analysis by cardiac MRI with Doppler ultrasound gating and feature tracking may provide a new diagnostic approach for evaluation of fetal cardiac function in congenital heart disease. KEY POINTS • MRI myocardial strain analysis has not been performed in human fetuses so far. • Myocardial strain was assessed in human fetuses using cardiac MRI with Doppler ultrasound gating. • MRI myocardial strain may provide a new diagnostic approach to evaluate fetal cardiac function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryam Dargahpour Barough
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Manuela Tavares de Sousa
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bettina Hergert
- Department of Obstetrics and Fetal Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Roland Fischer
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lukas Huber
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jan Moritz Seliger
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Michael Gerhard Kaul
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Adam
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jochen Herrmann
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Section of Pediatric Radiology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Peter Bannas
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20251, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Bjoern P Schoennagel
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistrasse 52, 20251, Hamburg, Germany.
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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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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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Beer M, Schönnagel B, Herrmann J, Klömpken S, Schaal M, Kaestner M, Apitz C, Brunner H. Non-invasive pediatric cardiac imaging-current status and further perspectives. Mol Cell Pediatr 2022; 9:21. [PMID: 36575291 PMCID: PMC9794482 DOI: 10.1186/s40348-022-00153-z] [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: 09/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meinrad Beer
- grid.410712.10000 0004 0473 882XDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Björn Schönnagel
- grid.13648.380000 0001 2180 3484Division of Pediatric Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Jochen Herrmann
- grid.13648.380000 0001 2180 3484Division of Pediatric Radiology, Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Steffen Klömpken
- grid.410712.10000 0004 0473 882XDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Matthias Schaal
- grid.410712.10000 0004 0473 882XDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Michael Kaestner
- grid.410712.10000 0004 0473 882XDivision of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Christian Apitz
- grid.410712.10000 0004 0473 882XDivision of Pediatric Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
| | - Horst Brunner
- grid.410712.10000 0004 0473 882XDepartment of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Ulm, Ulm, Germany
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9
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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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10
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Vollbrecht TM, Luetkens JA. [Cardiac MRI of congenital heart disease : From fetus to adult]. RADIOLOGIE (HEIDELBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 62:933-940. [PMID: 35976404 DOI: 10.1007/s00117-022-01062-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important diagnostic tool for initial diagnostic workup and follow-up of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) of different age groups. OBJECTIVES This review provides an overview of clinically applied MRI sequences for the assessment of CHD, highlights technical developments, and demonstrates key aspects of reporting in specific heart defects. MATERIALS AND METHODS Presentation of epidemiologic data, summary of studies on MRI sequences and their clinical application, and demonstration of clinical examples. RESULTS The broad spectrum of congenital heart defects requires the use of various sequences, which can be modified depending on patient age or treatment status. Cine imaging can be used to assess cardiac function and volumes, phase contrast flow measurements allow for the assessment of vessel hemodynamics, and various techniques of MR angiography allow visualization of the thoracic vessels with high spatiotemporal resolution. New developments allow high-resolution vascular imaging without the need for contrast agents, assessment of additional hemodynamic parameters, or fetal cardiac MRI. CONCLUSION Cardiac MRI can be employed in children as well as in adults with CHD. By using different sequences and considering the treatment status and surgery-related complications, the vast majority of clinical questions can be answered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas M Vollbrecht
- Klinik für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Deutschland
- Quantitative Imaging Lab Bonn (QILaB), Bonn, Deutschland
| | - Julian A Luetkens
- Klinik für Diagnostische und Interventionelle Radiologie, Universitätsklinikum Bonn, Venusberg-Campus 1, 53127, Bonn, Deutschland.
- Quantitative Imaging Lab Bonn (QILaB), Bonn, Deutschland.
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11
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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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12
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van Amerom JFP, Goolaub DS, Schrauben EM, Sun L, Macgowan CK, Seed M. Fetal cardiovascular blood flow MRI: techniques and applications. Br J Radiol 2022:20211096. [DOI: 10.1259/bjr.20211096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Fetal cardiac MRI is challenging due to fetal and maternal movements as well as the need for a reliable cardiac gating signal and high spatiotemporal resolution. Ongoing research and recent technical developments to address these challenges show the potential of MRI as an adjunct to ultrasound for the assessment of the fetal heart and great vessels. MRI measurements of blood flow have enabled the assessment of normal fetal circulation as well as conditions with disrupted circulations, such as congenital heart disease, along with associated organ underdevelopment and hemodynamic instability. This review provides details of the techniques used in fetal cardiovascular blood flow MRI, including single slice and volumetric imaging sequences, post-processing and analysis, along with a summary of applications in human studies and animal models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua FP van Amerom
- Division of Translational Medicine, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
| | - Datta Singh Goolaub
- Division of Translational Medicine, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Eric M Schrauben
- Department of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, Amsterdam University Medical Centers, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Liqun Sun
- Division of Cardiology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Christopher K Macgowan
- Division of Translational Medicine, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mike Seed
- Division of Translational Medicine, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, Canada
- Division of Cardiology, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada
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13
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Goncalves LF, Lindblade CL, Cornejo P, Patel MC, McLaughlin ES, Bardo DME. Contribution of fetal magnetic resonance imaging in fetuses with congenital heart disease. Pediatr Radiol 2022; 52:513-526. [PMID: 34842935 DOI: 10.1007/s00247-021-05234-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Increasing evidence supports an association among congenital heart disease (CHD), structural brain lesions on neuroimaging, and increased risk of neurodevelopmental delay and other structural anomalies. Fetal MRI has been found to be effective in demonstrating fetal structural and developmental abnormalities. OBJECTIVE To determine the contribution of fetal MRI to identifying cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular anomalies in fetuses with CHD compared to prenatal US and fetal echocardiography. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a retrospective study of fetuses with CHD identified by fetal echocardiography. Exams were performed on 1.5-tesla (T) or 3-T magnets using a balanced turbo field echo sequence triggered by an external electrocardiogram simulator with a fixed heart rate of 140 beats per minute (bpm). Fetal echocardiography was performed by pediatric cardiologists and detailed obstetrical US by maternal-fetal medicine specialists prior to referral to MRI. We compared the sensitivity of fetal MRI and fetal echocardiography for the diagnosis of cardiovascular anomalies, as well as the sensitivity of fetal MRI and referral US for the diagnosis of non-cardiac anomalies. We performed statistical analysis using the McNemar test. RESULTS We identified 121 anomalies in 31 fetuses. Of these, 73 (60.3%) were cardiovascular and 48 (39.7%) involved other organ systems. Fetal echocardiography was more sensitive for diagnosing cardiovascular anomalies compared to fetal MRI, but the difference was not statistically significant (85.9%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 77.8-94.0% vs. 77.5%, 95% CI 67.7-87.2%, respectively; McNemar test 2.29; P=0.13). The sensitivity of fetal MRI was higher for diagnosing extracardiac anomalies when compared to referral US (84.1%, 95% CI 73.3-94.9% vs. 31.8%, 95% CI 18.1-45.6%, respectively; McNemar test 12.9; P<0.001). The additional information provided by fetal MRI changed prognosis, counseling or management for 10/31 fetuses (32.2%), all in the group of 19 fetuses with anomalies in other organs and systems besides CHD. CONCLUSION Fetal MRI performed in a population of fetuses with CHD provided additional information that altered prognosis, counseling or management in approximately one-third of the fetuses, mainly by identifying previously unknown anomalies in other organs and systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis F Goncalves
- Department of Radiology, Phoenix Children's Hospital, 1919 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85016, USA.
- University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
- Department of Radiology, Creighton University, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
| | - Christopher L Lindblade
- University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Department of Radiology, Creighton University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Department of Cardiology, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Patricia Cornejo
- Department of Radiology, Phoenix Children's Hospital, 1919 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85016, USA
- University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Department of Radiology, Creighton University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Mittun C Patel
- Department of Radiology, Phoenix Children's Hospital, 1919 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85016, USA
- University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Department of Radiology, Creighton University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Ericka Scheller McLaughlin
- University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Department of Radiology, Creighton University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Department of Cardiology, Phoenix Children's Hospital, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Dianna M E Bardo
- Department of Radiology, Phoenix Children's Hospital, 1919 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, AZ, 85016, USA
- University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Department of Radiology, Creighton University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
- Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Phoenix, AZ, USA
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14
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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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15
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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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16
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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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New Method for Beat-to-Beat Fetal Heart Rate Measurement Using Doppler Ultrasound Signal. SENSORS 2020; 20:s20154079. [PMID: 32707863 PMCID: PMC7435740 DOI: 10.3390/s20154079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The most commonly used method of fetal monitoring is based on heart activity analysis. Computer-aided fetal monitoring system enables extraction of clinically important information hidden for visual interpretation—the instantaneous fetal heart rate (FHR) variability. Today’s fetal monitors are based on monitoring of mechanical activity of the fetal heart by means of Doppler ultrasound technique. The FHR is determined using autocorrelation methods, and thus it has a form of evenly spaced—every 250 ms—instantaneous measurements, where some of which are incorrect or duplicate. The parameters describing a beat-to-beat FHR variability calculated from such a signal show significant errors. The aim of our research was to develop new analysis methods that will both improve an accuracy of the FHR determination and provide FHR representation as time series of events. The study was carried out on simultaneously recorded (during labor) Doppler ultrasound signal and the reference direct fetal electrocardiogram Two subranges of Doppler bandwidths were separated to describe heart wall movements and valve motions. After reduction of signal complexity by determining the Doppler ultrasound envelope, the signal was analyzed to determine the FHR. The autocorrelation method supported by a trapezoidal prediction function was used. In the final stage, two different methods were developed to provide signal representation as time series of events: the first using correction of duplicate measurements and the second based on segmentation of instantaneous periodicity measurements. Thus, it ensured the mean heart interval measurement error of only 1.35 ms. In a case of beat-to-beat variability assessment the errors ranged from −1.9% to −10.1%. Comparing the obtained values to other published results clearly confirms that the new methods provides a higher accuracy of an interval measurement and a better reliability of the FHR variability estimation.
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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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Shulman M, Cho E, Aasi B, Cheng J, Nithiyanantham S, Waddell N, Sussman D. Quantitative analysis of fetal magnetic resonance phantoms and recommendations for an anthropomorphic motion phantom. MAGNETIC RESONANCE MATERIALS IN PHYSICS BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE 2019; 33:257-272. [PMID: 31487004 DOI: 10.1007/s10334-019-00775-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2019] [Revised: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 08/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To provide a review and quantitative analysis of the available fetal MR imaging phantoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS A literature search was conducted across Pubmed, Google Scholar, and Ryerson University Library databases to identify fetal MR imaging phantoms. Phantoms were graded on a semi-quantitative scale in regards to four evaluation categories: (1) anatomical accuracy in size and shape, (2) dielectric conductivity similar to the simulated tissue, (3) relaxation times similar to simulated tissue, and (4) physiological motion similar to fetal gross body, cardiovascular, and breathing motion. This was followed by statistical analysis to identify significant findings. RESULTS Seventeen fetal phantoms were identified and had an average overall percentage accuracy of 26%, with anatomical accuracy being satisfied the most (56%) and physiological motion the least (7%). Phantoms constructed using 3D printing were significantly more accurate than conventionally constructed phantoms. DISCUSSION Currently available fetal phantoms lack accuracy and motion simulation. 3D printing may lead to higher accuracy compared with traditional manufacturing. Future research needs to focus on properly simulating both fetal anatomy and physiological motion to produce a phantom that is appropriate for fetal MRI sequence development and optimization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Shulman
- Department of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada.,Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Eunyoung Cho
- Department of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada.,Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Bipin Aasi
- Department of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada.,Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Jin Cheng
- Department of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada.,Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Saiee Nithiyanantham
- Department of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada.,Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Nicole Waddell
- Department of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada.,Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5B 1T8, Canada
| | - Dafna Sussman
- Department of Electrical, Computer, and Biomedical Engineering, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada. .,Institute for Biomedical Engineering, Science and Technology (iBEST), Ryerson University and St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5B 1T8, Canada. .,The Keenan Research Centre for Biomedical Science, St. Michael's Hospital, Toronto, ON, M5B 1T8, Canada. .,Department of Biomedical Physics, Ryerson University, Toronto, ON, M5B 2K3, Canada.
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20
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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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