Motivation
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provides a detailed anatomical and functional picture of our cardiovascular system. Specific MRI protocols can capture the deformation of the myocardial muscle (cine or tagged sequence), the velocity of blood floow (phase-contrast MRI), or the perfusion in the heart through the application of contrast agents.
Our approach
By sitting in St Thomas’ Hospital in the heart of London, CMIB researchers have the opportunity to access a wealth of MRI cardiac data. We develop image analysis tools to extract the information contained in these rich images. A special emphasis is given to capture the anatomical detail, to extract mechanical parameters from the deformation, and to analyse phase-contrast MRI sequences that capture blood velocity (see video below) to compute central blood pressure.
Further reading
- Images as drivers of progress in cardiac computational modelling
- Quantification of left ventricular torsion and diastolic recoil using cardiovascular magnetic resonance myocardial feature tracking