Efficient Cardiac Imaging: Dream or Reality? (2025)-WEB06-2025

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this comprehensive webinar, Dr. Melanie Atkins discusses the advancements making efficient cardiac MR imaging a reality for diverse patient populations, from neonates to elderly patients with complex conditions. Traditional cardiac MR challenges include long acquisition times, segmented imaging requiring breath holds, and difficulty imaging patients with arrhythmias or devices. Dr. Atkins highlights the transformative role of deep learning reconstructions such as SonicDL and Air Recon DL, enabling faster, high-quality, free-breathing acquisitions that significantly reduce scan times (up to 80% faster) without compromising image quality. She presents cases illustrating improved imaging in patients with arrhythmias, claustrophobia, and metallic implants using tailored protocols including wideband and single-shot techniques. The upcoming CygnusPRINT high-gradient 1.5T scanner promises further enhancements in spatial and temporal resolution, enabling true 1R-to-R imaging usable across all patient groups, especially paediatrics and those unable to hold their breath. Additionally, Dr. Atkins emphasizes the importance of quantitative myocardial perfusion for better diagnosing microvascular disease and combined coronary pathologies. AI-driven acquisition is also underscored for improving efficiency and accessibility of cardiac MR, potentially expanding scans to more centers, including rural areas with limited specialized staff. The session concludes that, leveraging these technologies, a rapid, comprehensive, free-breathing cardiac MR exam is achievable and scalable, overcoming prior clinical limitations.

Keywords

cardiac MR imaging

deep learning reconstruction

SonicDL

Air Recon DL

free-breathing acquisition

arrhythmia imaging

CygnusPRINT scanner

quantitative myocardial perfusion

AI-driven acquisition