• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.252-265
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• 2021

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) serves as a clinical gold-standard non-invasive imaging technique for the assessment of global and regional cardiac function. Conventional cardiac MRI is limited by the long acquisition time, the need for ECG gating and/or long breathhold, and insufficient spatiotemporal resolution. Real-time cardiac cine MRI refers to high spatiotemporal cardiac imaging using data acquired continuously without synchronization or binning, and therefore of potential interest in overcoming the limitations of conventional cardiac MRI. Novel acquisition and reconstruction techniques must be employed to facilitate real-time cardiac MRI. The goal of this study is to discuss methods that have been developed for real-time cardiac MRI. In particular, we classified existing techniques into two categories based on the use of non-iterative and iterative reconstruction. In addition, we present several research trends in this direction, including deep learning-based image reconstruction and other advanced real-time cardiac MRI strategies that reconstruct images acquired from real-time free-breathing techniques.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.114-125
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• 2019

Objective: Segmented cardiac cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the gold standard for cardiac ventricular volumetric assessment. In patients with difficulty in breath-holding or arrhythmia, this technique may generate images with inadequate quality for diagnosis. Real-time cardiac cine MRI has been developed to address this limitation. We aimed to assess the performance of retrospective electrocardiography-gated real-time cine MRI at 3T for left ventricular (LV) volume and mass measurement. Materials and Methods: Fifty-one patients were consecutively enrolled. A series of short-axis cine images covering the entire left ventricle using both segmented and real-time balanced steady-state free precession cardiac cine MRI were obtained. End-diastolic volume (EDV), end-systolic volume (ESV), stroke volume (SV), ejection fraction (EF), and LV mass were measured. The agreement and correlation of the parameters were assessed. Additionally, image quality was evaluated using European CMR Registry (Euro-CMR) score and structure visibility rating. Results: In patients without difficulty in breath-holding or arrhythmia, no significant difference was found in Euro-CMR score between the two techniques (0.3 ± 0.7 vs. 0.3 ± 0.5, p > 0.05). Good agreements and correlations were found between the techniques for measuring EDV, ESV, EF, SV, and LV mass. In patients with difficulty in breath-holding or arrhythmia, segmented cine MRI had a significant higher Euro-CMR score (2.3 ± 1.2 vs. 0.4 ± 0.5, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Real-time cine MRI at 3T allowed the assessment of LV volume with high accuracy and showed a significantly better image quality compared to that of segmented cine MRI in patients with difficulty in breath-holding and arrhythmia.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.1-20
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• 2020

This document is the third part of the guidelines for the interpretation and post-processing of cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) studies. These consensus recommendations have been developed by a Consensus Committee of the Korean Society of Cardiovascular Imaging (KOSCI) to standardize the requirements for image interpretation and post-processing of CMR. This third part of the recommendations describes tissue characterization modules, including perfusion, late gadolinium enhancement, and T1- and T2 mapping. Additionally, this document provides guidance for visual and quantitative assessment, consisting of "What-to-See," "How-To," and common pitfalls for the analysis of each module. The Consensus Committee hopes that this document will contribute to the standardization of image interpretation and post-processing of CMR studies.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2007

The obstacles for cardiac imaging are motion artifacts due to cardiac motion, respiration, and blood flow, and low signal due to small tissue volume of heart. To overcome these obstacles, fast imaging technique with ECG gating is utilized. Cardiac exam using MRI comprises of morphology, ventricular function, myocardial perfusion, metabolism, and coronary artery morphology. During cardiac morphology evaluation, double and triple inversion recovery techniques are used to depict myocardial fluidity and soft tissue structure such as fat tissue, respectively. By checking the first-pass enhancement of myocardium using contrast-enhanced fast gradient echo technique, myocardial blood flow can be evaluated. In addition, delayed imaging in 10 - 15 minutes can inform myocardial destruction such as chronic myocardial infarction. Ventricular function including regional and global wall motion can be checked by fast gradient echo cine imaging in quantitative way. MRI is acknowledged to be practical for integrated cardiac evaluation technique except coronary angiography. Especially delay imaging is the greatest merit of MRI in myocardial viability evaluation.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1997 no.05
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• pp.127-130
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• 1997

Phase-contrast(PC) methods have been used for quantitative measurements of velocity and volume flow rate. In addition, phase contrast cine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combines the flow dependent contrast of PC MRI with the ability of cardiac cine imaging to produce images throughout the cardiac cycle. In this method, the through-plane velocity has been encoded generally. However, the accuracy of the flow data can be reduced by the effect of flow direction, finite slice thickness, resolution, pulsatile flow pattern, and so on. In this study we calculated the error caused by misalignment of tomographic plane and flow directon. To reduce this error and encode the velocity for more complex flow, we suggested 3 directional velocity encoding method.

• Proceedings of the KSMRM Conference
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• 2001.11a
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• pp.142-142
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• 2001

목적： 관상동맥의 이상으로 인해 여러 가지 심장 관련 질환이 발병하기 때문에 관상동맥을 관찰할 수 있는 영상기법의 필요성이 늘어남은 물론 세계적으로 Cardiac 영상 기법 개발이 활발하게 진행되어 지고 있다. MRI System을 이용한 관상동맥(Coronary Artery) Image는 여러 가지 움직임 때문에 사용할 수 있는 영상기법에 제한을 받게 된다 가장 큰 제약은 심장의 움직임에 관한 것인데 이러한 움직임은 ECG Gating을 사용하여 극복할 수 있다. 본 논문에서는 관상 동맥을 촬영하는 영상기법의 개발과 촬영된 영상을 재처리하는 기법을 소개 하고자 한다 ECG Gating을 이용한 영상 기법 및 얻어진 영상을 Morphology, MIP를 이용한 Image processing을 하여 얻어진 영상을 enhance시켜 보았다.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.132-138
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• 2007

MR(magnetic resonance) image of moving organ such as heart shows serious distortion of MR image due to motion itself. To eliminate motion artifacts, MRI(magnetic resonance imaging) scan sequences requires a trigger pulse like ECG(electro-cardiography) R-wave. ECG-gating using cardiac cycle synchronizes the MRI sequence acquisition to the R-wave in order to eliminate image motion artifacts. In this paper, we designed ECG/PPG(photo-plethysmography) gating system which is for eliminating motion artifacts due to moving organ. This system uses nonmagnetic carbon electrodes, lead wire and shield case for minimizing RF(radio-frequency) pulse and gradient effect. Also, we developed a ECG circuit for preventing saturation by magnetic field and a finger plethysmography sensor using optic fiber. And then, gating pulse is generated by adaptive filtering based on NLMS(normalized least mean square) algorithm. To evaluate the developed system, we measured and compared MR imaging of heart and neck with and without ECG/PPG gating system. As a result, we could get a clean image to be used in clinically. In conclusion, the designed ECG/PPG gating system could be useful method when we get MR imaging of moving organ like a heart.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.975-982
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• 2021

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect on the phantom for magnetic resonance imaging located nearby by partially shielding RF with a mesh made thinner than hair composed of copper, black metal, and polyester using metallic materials of titanium, which are commonly used for esophageal stents and implants in the body. Magnetic resonance images according to field of view (FOV) were analyzed in the Spin Echo T1 weighted images of TR 500 ms, TE 20 ms, NEX 1, and slice thickness 5mm using a Cardiac coil of 3T Achieva X-series. Aliasing artifact did not occur in FOV 304 mm × 304 mm, but it occurred in 250 mm × 250 mm and 170 mm × 170 mm. In FOV 170 mm × 170 mm, when a mesh was not used, the SNR was measured with 78.23, and when separated by standing a mesh in the middle, it was 215.05, and when completely shielded with a mesh, the SNR was 366.44. In addition, when completely shielded with a mesh, the aliasing artifact was also removed, and signal intensities on the left, middle and right of the image were also able to obtain homogeneous images compared to the previous two cases. In conclusion, if RF is partially shielded with a mesh, aliasing artifact can be removed, and magnetic resonance images with excellent image resolution and homogeneity can be obtained using a small FOV.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.24 no.12
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• pp.1221-1231
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• 2023

Objective: To clinically validate the feasibility and accuracy of cine images acquired through the multitasking method, with no electrocardiogram gating and free-breathing, in measuring left ventricular (LV) function indices by comparing them with those acquired through the balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) method, with multiple breath-holds and electrocardiogram gating. Materials and Methods: Forty-three healthy volunteers (female:male, 30:13; mean age, 23.1 ± 2.3 years) and 36 patients requiring an assessment of LV function for various clinical indications (female:male, 22:14; 57.8 ± 11.3 years) were enrolled in this prospective study. Each participant underwent cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) using the multiple breath-hold bSSFP method and free-breathing multitasking method. LV function parameters were measured for both MRI methods. Image quality was assessed through subjective image quality scores (1 to 5) and calculation of the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) between the myocardium and blood pool. Differences between the two MRI methods were analyzed using the Bland-Altman plot, paired t-test, or Wilcoxon signed-rank test, as appropriate. Results: LV ejection fraction (LVEF) was not significantly different between the two MRI methods (P = 0.222 in healthy volunteers and P = 0.343 in patients). LV end-diastolic mass was slightly overestimated with multitasking in both healthy volunteers (multitasking vs. bSSFP, 60.5 ± 10.7 g vs. 58.0 ± 10.4 g, respectively; P < 0.001) and patients (69.4 ± 18.1 g vs. 66.8 ± 18.0 g, respectively; P = 0.003). Acceptable and comparable image quality was achieved for both MRI methods (multitasking vs. bSSFP, 4.5 ± 0.7 vs. 4.6 ± 0.6, respectively; P = 0.203). The CNR between the myocardium and blood pool showed no significant differences between the two MRI methods (18.89 ± 6.65 vs. 18.19 ± 5.83, respectively; P = 0.480). Conclusion: Multitasking-derived cine images obtained without electrocardiogram gating and breath-holding achieved similar image quality and accurate quantification of LVEF in healthy volunteers and patients.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.10-22
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• 2021

Purpose: To overcome the difficulty in building a large data set with a high-quality in medical imaging, a concept of 'blended-transfer learning' (BTL) using a combination of both source data and target data is proposed for the target task. Materials and Methods: Source and target tasks were defined as training of the source and target networks to reconstruct cardiac CINE images from undersampled data, respectively. In transfer learning (TL), the entire neural network (NN) or some parts of the NN after conducting a source task using an open data set was adopted in the target network as the initial network to improve the learning speed and the performance of the target task. Using BTL, an NN effectively learned the target data while preserving knowledge from the source data to the maximum extent possible. The ratio of the source data to the target data was reduced stepwise from 1 in the initial stage to 0 in the final stage. Results: NN that performed BTL showed an improved performance compared to those that performed TL or standalone learning (SL). Generalization of NN was also better achieved. The learning curve was evaluated using normalized mean square error (NMSE) of reconstructed images for both target data and source data. BTL reduced the learning time by 1.25 to 100 times and provided better image quality. Its NMSE was 3% to 8% lower than with SL. Conclusion: The NN that performed the proposed BTL showed the best performance in terms of learning speed and learning curve. It also showed the highest reconstructed-image quality with the lowest NMSE for the test data set. Thus, BTL is an effective way of learning for NNs in the medical-imaging domain where both quality and quantity of data are always limited.