Hemodynamic Characterization of the Trans-Thoracic Circulation by Contrast-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Massimo Mischi¹, Harrie CM van den Bosch², Jacques A. den Boer, Jan Verwoerd³, Rene JE Grouls², Hendrikus HM Korsten²

A minimally-invasive characterization of the trans-thoracic circulation (TTC) by contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is presented and validated in vitro. The clinical feasibility of the method is also tested with five healthy volunteers. A bolus of a paramagnetic agent is intravenously injected and detected by MRI in the right and left ventricles. A parametric deconvolution is designed for the estimation and hemodynamic interpretation of the TTC dilution impulse response. This permits in the assessment of the intra-thoracic blood volume as well as the ratio between contrast convection and dispersion in the TTC. The results are accurate and motivate further investigation.