Cardiovascular Imaging

Overview​

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CTIPM’s cardiovascular imaging lab is developing and applying advanced MRI techniques to the diagnosis of cardiovascular disease, specifically the use of 4D Flow MRI to study the heart and blood vessels throughout the body. Clinical-translational MRI scans performed by our laboratory are designed to maximize patient comfort, while obtaining all of the relevant clinical parameters in the least amount of time (usually 30-45 minutes). The lab is focused on applying leading edge advanced imaging techniques to immediately diagnose and manage cardiovascular diseases today, while also developing the strategies for tomorrow. We have an ongoing partnership with Arterys to develop the latest cloud-based computational technologies for advanced visualization and diagnosis. Research focus areas include MRI Characterization of Cardiovascular Fluid Mechanics, Translational Computational Cardiovascular Biomechanics, and Multimodality Integrated Cardiac Imaging.

Clinical Applications

Quantitative Congenital Heart Imaging

Indications

  • Atrial septal defect
  • Ventricular septal defect
  • Tetralogy of Fallot
  • Aortic coarctation
  • Partial anomalous pulmonary venous return
  • Single ventricle – Glenn, Fontan
  • Other complex congenital heart conditions

Common Components

  • MRA Pulmonary and/or Aortic Arteriogram
  • Right Ventricular Volumetry, Function
  • Quantification of Pulmonary, Tricuspid Regurgitant Fraction
  • Quantification of Pulmonary Stenosis Pressure Gradient
  • Quantification of Split Pulmonary Perfusion
  • Quantification of Intracardiac, Extracardiac Shunts, Shunt Fraction

 

Quantitative Structural Heart Imaging

Indications

  • Aortic stenosis, regurgitation
  • Mitral stenosis, regurgitation

Common Components

  • Left Ventricular Volumetry, Function
  • Quantification of Aortic Stenosis, Regurgitant Fraction
  • Quantification of Mitral Stenosis, Regurgitant Fraction
Regurgitant fraction 60% (severe), requiring repeat valve surgery.

 

Cardiopulmonary Perfusion Imaging

Indications

  • Pulmonary hypertension
  • Chronic thromboembolic disease

Common Components

  • MRA Pulmonary Arteriogram
  • Right Ventricular Volumetry, Function
  • Estimation of Right Ventricular Systolic Pressure
  • Quantification of Pulmonary, Tricuspid Regurgitant Fraction
  • Quantification of Split Pulmonary Perfusion

Quantitative Arterial Vascular Imaging

Indications

  • Ascending aortic aneurysm (+/- bicuspid aortic valve)
  • Aortic dissection
  • Peripheral arterial disease

Common Components

  • MRA Arteriogram
  • Longitudinal follow-up of aortic dimensions
  • Quantification of arterial stenosis

Quantitative Venous Vascular Imaging

Indications

  • Deep venous thrombosis
  • May-Thurner syndrome
  • Central venous stenosis

Common Components

  • MRA Venogram
  • Quantification of venous stenosis
  • Quantification of venous collateral flow

Rheumatologic Vascular Imaging

Indications

  • Cervical, thoracic, abdominal vasculitis

Common Components

  • MRA Arteriogram
  • Characterization of wall thickening, edema, enhancement

 

Gynecologic Imaging

Indications

  • Fibroids
  • Pelvic congestion

Common Components

  • Mapping of uterine and ovarian arteries
  • Mapping and quantification of ovarian venous flow

 

Director:

Albert HsiaoAlbert Hsiao, MD/PhD
Assistant Professor of Radiology at UC San Diego
Director of Cardiovascular Imaging, CTIPM 

 

Affiliated Clinical Services:

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