Preliminary investigations into a new method of functional assessment of the fetal heart using a novel application of 'real-time' cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.
OBJECTIVE
Because of quantitative echocardiographic limitations of fetal ventricular volumes as well as poor windows, we sought to determine if real-time magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) could be used.


METHODS
Real-time, functional, true fast imaging with steady-state precession, cardiac MRI was performed on 2 fetuses (one with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and one with ductal constriction). Fetal echocardiography was performed and cardiac index by Doppler was used to validate volume measures by MRI.


RESULTS
This technique was able to visualize the beating heart and assess ventricular volumes. Cardiac index and assessment of right ventricular hypertrophy and dilation by echocardiography were consistent with the ventricular volumes and right ventricular hypertrophy obtained by cardiac MRI.


CONCLUSIONS
Real-time, functional fetal cardiac MRI is possible and can be used to quantitatively assess ventricular volumes and cardiac index in utero.
Fogel
Mark A
MA
Division of Cardiology, Department of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa. 19104, USA. fogel@email.chop.edu
Wilson
R Douglas
RD
Flake
Alan
A
Johnson
Mark
M
Cohen
David
D
McNeal
Gary
G
Tian
Zhi-Yun
ZY
Rychik
Jack
J
D000328:Adult; D004452:Echocardiography; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D017380:Hypertrophy, Right Ventricular / Q000151:congenital / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal