title: Preliminary investigations into a new method of functional assessment of the fetal heart using a novel application of 'real-time' cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: 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
authors.forename: Mark A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fogel
authors.forename: R Douglas
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.forename: Alan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Flake
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Gary
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McNeal
authors.forename: Zhi-Yun
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Tian
authors.forename: Jack
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rychik
mesh_terms: 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