T1 mapping performance and measurement repeatability: results from the multi-national T1 mapping standardization phantom program (T1MES).

BACKGROUND: The T1 Mapping and Extracellular volume (ECV) Standardization (T1MES) program explored T1 mapping quality assurance using a purpose-developed phantom with Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Conformité Européenne (CE) regulatory clearance. We report T1 measurement repeatability across centers describing sequence, magnet, and vendor performance. METHODS: Phantoms batch-manufactured in August 2015 underwent 2 years of structural imaging, B0 and B1, and "reference" slow T1 testing. Temperature dependency was evaluated by the United States National Institute of Standards and Technology and by the German Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt. Center-specific T1 mapping repeatability (maximum one scan per week to minimum one per quarter year) was assessed over mean 358 (maximum 1161) days on 34 1.5 T and 22 3 T magnets using multiple T1 mapping sequences. Image and temperature data were analyzed semi-automatically. Repeatability of serial T1 was evaluated in terms of coefficient of variation (CoV), and linear mixed models were constructed to study the interplay of some of the known sources of T1 variation. RESULTS: Over 2 years, phantom gel integrity remained intact (no rips/tears), B0 and B1 homogenous, and "reference" T1 stable compared to baseline (% change at 1.5 T, 1.95 ± 1.39%; 3 T, 2.22 ± 1.44%). Per degrees Celsius, 1.5 T, T1 (MOLLI 5s(3s)3s) increased by 11.4 ms in long native blood tubes and decreased by 1.2 ms in short post-contrast myocardium tubes. Agreement of estimated T1 times with "reference" T1 was similar across Siemens and Philips CMR systems at both field strengths (adjusted R2 ranges for both field strengths, 0.99-1.00). Over 1 year, many 1.5 T and 3 T sequences/magnets were repeatable with mean CoVs < 1 and 2% respectively. Repeatability was narrower for 1.5 T over 3 T. Within T1MES repeatability for native T1 was narrow for several sequences, for example, at 1.5 T, Siemens MOLLI 5s(3s)3s prototype number 448B (mean CoV = 0.27%) and Philips modified Look-Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) 3s(3s)5s (CoV 0.54%), and at 3 T, Philips MOLLI 3b(3s)5b (CoV 0.33%) and Siemens shortened MOLLI (ShMOLLI) prototype 780C (CoV 0.69%). After adjusting for temperature and field strength, it was found that the T1 mapping sequence and scanner software version (both P < 0.001 at 1.5 T and 3 T), and to a lesser extent the scanner model (P = 0.011, 1.5 T only), had the greatest influence on T1 across multiple centers. CONCLUSION: The T1MES CE/FDA approved phantom is a robust quality assurance device. In a multi-center setting, T1 mapping had performance differences between field strengths, sequences, scanner software versions, and manufacturers. However, several specific combinations of field strength, sequence, and scanner are highly repeatable, and thus, have potential to provide standardized assessment of T1 times for clinical use, although temperature correction is required for native T1 tubes at least.

Topographical distribution of perioperative cerebral infarction associated with transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) is associated with a high incidence of cerebrovascular injury. As these injuries are thought to be primarily embolic, neuroprotection strategies have focused on embolic protection devices. However, the topographical distribution of cerebral emboli and how this impacts on the effectiveness of these devices have not been thoroughly assessed. Here, we evaluated the anatomical characteristics of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-defined cerebral ischemic lesions occurring secondary to TAVI to enhance our understanding of the distribution of cardioembolic phenomena. METHODS: Forty patients undergoing transfemoral TAVI with an Edwards SAPIEN-XT valve under general anesthesia were enrolled prospectively in this observational study. Participants underwent brain MRI preprocedure, and 3 ± 1 days and 6 ± 1 months postprocedure. RESULTS: Mean ± SD participant age was 82 ± 7 years. Patients had an intermediate to high surgical risk, with a mean Society of Thoracic Surgeons score of 6.3 ± 3.5 and EuroSCORE of 18.1 ± 10.6. Post-TAVI, there were no clinically apparent cerebrovascular events, but MRI assessments identified 83 new lesions across 19 of 31 (61%) participants, with a median ± interquartile range number and volume of 1 ± 2.8 lesions and 20 ± 190 µL per patient. By volume, 80% of the infarcts were cortical, 90% in the posterior circulation and 81% in the right hemisphere. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of lesions that we detected suggests that cortical gray matter, the posterior circulation, and the right hemisphere are all particularly vulnerable to perioperative cerebrovascular injury. This finding has implications for the use of intraoperative cerebral embolic protection devices, particularly those that leave the left subclavian and, therefore, left vertebral artery unprotected.

Cardiac MRI is superior to gated blood pool imaging in the assessment of left ventricular function in patients post-cardiac transplantation.

BACKGROUND: Gated Blood Pool Imaging (GBPI) has low inter-test variability compared to echocardiography, and is often used when accurate repeated measurements of left ventricular ejection fraction are required such as in the surveillance of post-transplant patients. The aim of this study was to determine if cardiac MRI (CMR) could replace Gated Blood Pool Imaging for annual assessment of left ventricular (LV) function in the surveillance of patients post-cardiac transplantation. METHODS: Forty-nine patients at various stages of post-cardiac transplantation presenting for annual review underwent LV functional assessment with GBPI and CMR. LV ejection fractions (EF) obtained from the two methods were compared and limits of agreement determined. RESULTS: The mean EF (plus and minus two standard deviations) was 58.3+/-18% for GBPI and 57.6+/-18% for CMR. The two methods were found to provide clinically equivalent results. CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of LVEF with CMR offers comparable values to GBPI in post-heart transplant patients. However, CMR also allows quantitative volumetric analysis of ventricular volumes and assessment of wall motion and valvular function. As is now accepted in native heart assessment, CMR should be considered the "gold standard" for post-transplant volumetric and functional evaluation. CMR offers information over-and-above traditional imaging modalities.

MRI measurements of the thoracic aorta and pulmonary artery.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to obtain a range of normal measurements of the adult thoracic aorta and main pulmonary artery using cardiac MRI, and to assess agreement between measurements made on ECG-gated two-dimensional (2D) breath held steady-state-free precession (SSFP), and three-dimensional (3D) breath held SSFP image acquisitions. METHODS: Forty-nine normal volunteers underwent cardiac MRI using a 1.5T system. Two independent examiners measured the ascending aorta, aortic arch, descending thoracic aorta and main pulmonary artery in pre-defined locations. RESULTS: Overall, inter-observer agreement for all measurements was excellent. Close agreement was observed in aortic diameters obtained from the 2D and 3D SSFP methods in six of the nine aortic measurement sites. There was a tendency for the 3D measurements to be smaller than the 2D measurements but this was only significant at two sites, the aortic annulus, and the ascending aorta. There was a significance difference in aortic measurements between the left carotid artery (LC) and the left subclavian artery (LSC). CONCLUSION: Normal values for transverse diameters of the thoracic aorta and main pulmonary artery were established using 2D and 3D non-contrast MR sequences in healthy adults. Overall both inter-observer agreement, and agreement between 2D and 3D techniques was good. Mean diameter differences demonstrated at the aortic annulus, ascending aorta and aortic arch between LC and LSC although significant were less than one millimetre and unlikely to be important in clinical practice.

MR findings in cardiac amyloidosis.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of our study was to describe a combination of features on MRI specific to cardiac amyloidosis. CONCLUSION: Cardiac amyloidosis is a common cause of infiltrative heart disease. The combination of subtle widespread heterogeneous myocardial enhancement on delayed postcontrast inversion recovery T1-weighted images, which may initially be dismissed as a technical error, with ancillary features of restrictive cardiac disease is highly suggestive of cardiac amyloidosis.

Late gadolinium enhancement does occur in Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy - A quantitative cardiac magnetic resonance and speckle tracking strain study.

BACKGROUND: Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) has been recommended to distinguish Tako-tsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) from either acute myocardial infarction or myocarditis. METHOD: 44 consecutive patients with confirmed Mayo Clinic criteria for TTC underwent CMR imaging at 1.5 Tesla during the acute phase. 10 patients who had CMRI to exclude scar related ventricular tachycardia, and had negative studies, were used as negative controls. LGE was quantitated at two signal intensity thresholds (CircleCVi software) at > 2 and > 5 standard-deviations (SD) above reference myocardium, and compared to biomarkers. FINDINGS: Mean door-to-CMR time was 57 hours. 18 patients (41%) had LGE > 2 SD localized to the area of abnormal wall motion, representing 28.9 ± 11.2% LV mass. In 16 of these 18 patients (89%) LGE signal intensity was > 5 SD above normal myocardium, representing 12.1 ± 10% LV mass. LGE signal intensity was significantly greater in TTC than in matched controls (p < 0.05) but lower than in STEMI patients (p < 0.05). Mean troponin was significantly higher in LGE positive patients (2.5 ± 1.8 vs 4.4 ± 6.9, p = 0.001). Mean ejection fraction (EF) by CMR was 45% ± 8.7 in LGE-negative, and 40% ± 7.1 in LGE-positive patients (p = 0.37). Recovery of segmental function was confirmed at follow-up, mean EF was 59% in both groups. CONCLUSION: LGE was present in 41% of cases of TTC, 89% of which had intense enhancement > 5 SD above normal myocardium. Presence of LGE was associated with worse myocardial injury in the acute setting, with no difference in recovery of function.

Neurological Injury in Intermediate-Risk Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation.

BACKGROUND: The application of transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) to intermediate-risk patients is a controversial issue. Of concern, neurological injury in this group remains poorly defined. Among high-risk and inoperable patients, subclinical injury is reported on average in 75% undergoing the procedure. Although this attendant risk may be acceptable in higher-risk patients, it may not be so in those of lower risk. METHODS AND RESULTS: Forty patients undergoing TAVI with the Edwards SAPIEN-XT™ prosthesis were prospectively studied. Patients were of intermediate surgical risk, with a mean±standard deviation Society of Thoracic Surgeons score of 5.1±2.5% and a EuroSCORE II of 4.8±2.4%; participant age was 82±7 years. Clinically apparent injury was assessed by serial National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale assessments, Montreal Cognitive Assessments (MoCA), and with the Confusion Assessment Method. These identified 1 (2.5%) minor stroke, 1 (2.5%) episode of postoperative delirium, and 2 patients (5%) with significant postoperative cognitive dysfunction. Subclinical neurological injury was assessed using brain magnetic resonance imaging, including diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) sequences preprocedure and at 3±1 days postprocedure. This identified 68 new DWI lesions present in 60% of participants, with a median±interquartile range of 1±3 lesions/patient and volumes of infarction of 24±19 µL/lesion and 89±218 µL/patient. DWI lesions were associated with a statistically significant reduction in early cognition (mean ΔMoCA -3.5±1.7) without effect on cognition, quality of life, or functional capacity at 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Objectively measured subclinical neurological injuries remain a concern in intermediate-risk patients undergoing TAVI and are likely to manifest with early neurocognitive changes. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: URL: http://www.anzctr.org.au. Australian & New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry: ACTRN12613000083796.

Eye shape in emmetropia and myopia.

PURPOSES: To determine axial, vertical, and horizontal eye dimensions in myopic and emmetropic eyes by using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to relate these to different ocular expansion models of myopia development. METHODS: The internal length (cornea to retina), height and width (both retina to retina) were measured in emmetropic and myopic eyes (up to -12 D) of 88 participants aged 18 to 36 years. Participants were positioned supine in a clinical MRI scanner. The fixation target was imaged straight ahead of the subject by an overhead 45 degrees inclined mirror. Eye images were acquired with a 7.5-cm receive-only radio frequency surface coil. Axial (horizontal through middle of eye) and sagittal (vertical through visual axis) sections were taken with a T(1)-weighted fast spin-echo sequence. RESULTS: With an increase in myopic refractive correction, myopic eyes became much larger in all three dimensions, but more so in length (0.35 mm/D, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.28-0.40) than in height (0.19 mm/D, 95% CI 0.09-0.29) and more so in height than in width (0.10 mm/D, 95% CI 0.01-0.20). Based on height and length dimensions, 25% and 29% of myopic eyes exclusively fitted global expansion and axial elongation models, respectively. Based on width and length dimensions, 17% and 39% of myopic eyes exclusively fitted the global expansion and axial elongation models, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although there are considerable individual variations, in general myopic eyes are elongated relative to emmetropic eyes, more in length than in height and even less in width. Approximately a quarter of the myopic participants fitted each of the global expansion or axial elongation model exclusively. The small proportions are due primarily to the large variability in the dimensions of emmetropic eyes.

Prospective comparison of valve regurgitation quantitation by cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and transthoracic echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Both transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging allow quantification of chronic aortic regurgitation (AR) and mitral regurgitation (MR). We hypothesized that CMR measurement of regurgitant volume (RVol) is more reproducible than TTE. METHODS AND RESULTS: TTE and CMR performed on the same day in 57 prospectively enrolled adults (31 with AR, 26 with MR) were measured by 2 independent physicians. TTE RVol(AR) was calculated as Doppler left ventricular outflow minus inflow stroke volume. RVol(MR) was calculated by both the proximal isovelocity surface area method and Doppler volume flow at 2 sites. CMR RVol(AR) was calculated by phase-contrast velocity mapping at the aortic sinuses and RVol(MR) as total left ventricular minus forward stroke volume. Intraobserver and interobserver variabilities were similar. For AR, the Bland-Altman mean interobserver difference in RVol was -0.7 mL (95% confidence interval [CI], -5 to 4) for CMR and -9 mL (95% CI, -53 to -36) for TTE. The Pearson correlation was higher (P=0.001) between CMR (0.99) than TTE readers (0.89). For MR, the Bland-Altman mean difference in RVol between observers was -4 mL (95% CI, -21 to 13) for CMR compared with 0.7 mL (95% CI, -30 to 32) for the proximal isovelocity surface area and -10 mL (95% CI, -76 to 56) for TTE volume flow at 2 sites. Correlation was similar for CMR (0.94) versus TTE readers (0.90 for the proximal isovelocity surface area). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with TTE, CMR has lower intraobserver and interobserver variabilities for RVol(AR), suggesting CMR may be superior for serial measurements. Although RVol(MR) is similar by TTE and CMR, variability in measured RVol by both approaches suggests that caution is needed in clinical practice.

CT angiography with cardiac MRI: non-invasive functional and anatomical assessment for the etiology in newly diagnosed heart failure.

Exclusion of ischemia is important in patients with newly diagnosed systolic heart failure (HF). We prospectively compared standard-of-care invasive catheter angiography (iCA) and echocardiography to a novel non-invasive strategy of both Coronary Computed Tomographic Angiography (CCTA) and Cardiovascular MRI (CMR) to determine the etiology of myocardial dysfunction Prospective data were collected from consecutive patients referred for iCA to investigate echocardiographically-confirmed new onset HF. CMR (1.5T GE) and dual source CCTA were performed within 2-7 days of iCA. Results were blinded and separately analyzed by expert readers. 426 coronary segments from 28 prospectively enrolled patients were analyzed by CCTA and quantitative iCA. The per-patient sensitivity and specificity of CCTA was 100% and 90%, respectively, negative predictive value (NPV) 100%, positive predictive value (PPV) 78%. Mean ejection fraction by CMR was 24%. Presence of ischemic-type LGE on CMR conferred a 67% sensitivity, 100% specificity, 90% NPV and 100% PPV. Combining CCTA with CMR conferred 100% specificity, 100% sensitivity, 100% PPV and 100% NPV for detection or exclusion of coronary disease. In patients with negative CCTA all invasive angiograms could have been avoided. In addition, two patients with no ischemic LGE by CMR had severe coronary disease on both CCTA and iCA, indicating global hibernation. This is a noteworthy finding in contrast to previous reports which suggested that absence of LGE rules out significant CAD. CCTA with CMR in newly-diagnosed HF enables non-invasive assessment of coronary artery disease, the severity and etiology of myocardial dysfunction and defines suitability for revascularization. Absence of ischemic-type LGE at CMR does not exclude CAD as a cause of LV dysfunction. A first-line strategy of functional and anatomic imaging with CMR and CCTA appears appropriate in newly diagnosed HF.

Subendocardial late gadolinium enhancement in two patients with anthracycline cardiotoxicity following treatment for Ewing's sarcoma.

Cardiotoxicity is a well-known consequence of anthracycline chemotherapy. We report CMR findings not previously described in two patients with anthracycline cardiotoxicity following treatment for Ewing's sarcoma. Subendocardial enhancement on late gadolinium contrast-enhanced CMR was present in both cases, with histological correlation in one case.

Modified RV short axis series--a new method for cardiac MRI measurement of right ventricular volumes.

PURPOSE: The current standard image orientation employed in the MRI assessment of right ventricular volumes uses a series of short axis cine acquisitions located with respect to a horizontal long axis view with the first slice placed across the atrio-ventricular valve plane at end diastole. Inherent inaccuracies are encountered with the use of this image orientation due to difficulty in defining the tricuspid valve and the border between atrium and ventricle on the resultant images. Our experience indicates that because the tricuspid valve is usually not in-plane in the slice the atrio-ventricular margin is difficult to distinguish. This leads to inaccuracies in measurements at the base of the RV and miscalculation of the RV volume. The purpose of this study was to assess an alternative method of image orientation aimed at increasing the accuracy of RV volume measurements using current commercially available CMRI sequences. This technique, the modified RV short axis series, is oriented to the outflow tract of the right ventricle. METHOD: We undertook a prospective study of 50 post cardiac transplant patients. A series of LV short axis multi-slice cine acquisition FIESTA images was acquired using the current standard technique. From this data set, LV and RV stroke volumes were derived on an Advantage Windows workstation using planimetry of the endocardial and epicardial borders in end systole and end diastole. Our new technique involved obtaining a set of multi-slice cine acquisition FIESTA images in a plane perpendicular to a line from the centre of the pulmonary valve to the apex of the RV. Planimetry of the RV was then performed and a stroke volume calculated using the same method of analysis. RV stroke volumes obtained from both techniques were compared with LV stroke volumes. Three operators independently derived RV data sets. RESULTS: On the images acquired with the new technique, the tricuspid valve was easier to define leading to more accurate and reproducible planimetry of ventricular borders. RV stroke volumes calculated from the new method showed better agreement with LV stroke volumes than with the current method. These results were consistent across the three operators. CONCLUSIONS: This new method improves visualisation of the tricuspid valve and makes analysis easier and less prone to operator error than the current standard technique for MRI assessment of RV volumes.

CryoLife-O'Brien stentless valve: 10-year results of 402 implants.

BACKGROUND: This truly stentless porcine valve is composite, without Dacron, and implanted supra-annularly. Ten-year analysis with magnetic resonance imaging is presented. METHODS: From 1992 to 2002, 402 patients (mean 73.5 years) had aortic valve replacement. Associated procedures were required in 252 patients (63%). Serial echoes provided 1340 studies. Clinical follow-up was 100%. Magnetic resonance imaging focused on aortic annulus extensibility. RESULTS: The 30-day mortality was 0.99% (4 deaths). Morbidity comprised thromboembolism (40 patients including 18 patients with permanent strokes); endocarditis (9 patients); and reoperation (9 patients [periprosthetic leak, 2; endocarditis, 5; technical needle damage, 1; and structural degeneration, 1]). Of 402 valves more than 10 years, five valves were explanted, one only for structural failure. Except for endocarditis (2 patients), no late deaths (69 patients, 1.5 months to 5.7 years) were valve related. Echocardiography demonstrated low gradients with good orifice areas, excellent ventricular regression (p = 0.0001 preoperative and postoperative comparisons) and late incompetence (mild in 45 patients and moderate in 9 patients). No living patient has severe incompetence. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated the annulus 'expanding and relaxing' throughout the cardiac cycle, the mean increase in cross-sectional area being 37%, resembling normal aortic root dynamics. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients received this hemodynamically acceptable valve with its simple, supra-annular implantation and satisfactory mid-term morbid-free lifestyle to 10 years maximum follow-up. With only one structural failure, restoration of valve annular extensibility may have a favorable influence on long-term durability.