title: Design and testing of an MRI-compatible cycle ergometer for non-invasive cardiac assessments during exercise.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important tool for cardiac research, and it is frequently used for resting cardiac assessments. However, research into non-pharmacological stress cardiac evaluation is limited.
  
  
  METHODS
  We aimed to design a portable and relatively inexpensive MRI cycle ergometer capable of continuously measuring pedalling workload while patients exercise to maintain target heart rates.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We constructed and tested an MRI-compatible cycle ergometer for a 1.5 T MRI scanner. Resting and sub-maximal exercise images (at 110 beats per minute) were successfully obtained in 8 healthy adults.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The MRI-compatible cycle ergometer constructed by our research group enabled cardiac assessments at fixed heart rates, while continuously recording power output by directly measuring pedal force and crank rotation.
authors.affiliation: Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Silmara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Gusso
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Salvador
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hofman
authors.forename: Wayne
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Cutfield
authors.forename: James C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Baldi
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Taberner
authors.forename: Poul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nielsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004867:Equipment Design; D016552:Ergometry / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005080:Exercise Test / Q000295:instrumentation*; D005260:Female; D006321:Heart / Q000502:physiology*; D006334:Heart Function Tests / Q000295:instrumentation*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult