Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) of the cardiovascular system: challenges and perspectives

Alberto Aimo, Li Huang, Andrew Tyler, Andrea Barison, Nicola Martini, Luigi F Saccaro, Sébastien Roujol, Pier-Giorgio Masci

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

7 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) is a powerful, non-invasive, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that relies on measurement of magnetic susceptibility. So far, QSM has been employed mostly to study neurological disorders characterized by iron accumulation, such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases. Nonetheless, QSM allows mapping key indicators of cardiac disease such as blood oxygenation and myocardial iron content. For this reason, the application of QSM offers an unprecedented opportunity to gain a better understanding of the pathophysiological changes associated with cardiovascular disease and to monitor their evolution and response to treatment. Recent studies on cardiovascular QSM have shown the feasibility of a non-invasive assessment of blood oxygenation, myocardial iron content and myocardial fibre orientation, as well as carotid plaque composition. Significant technical challenges remain, the most evident of which are related to cardiac and respiratory motion, blood flow, chemical shift effects and susceptibility artefacts. Significant work is ongoing to overcome these challenges and integrate the QSM technique into clinical practice in the cardiovascular field.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)48
JournalJournal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance
Volume24
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 18 Aug 2022

Keywords

  • Brain
  • Heart
  • Humans
  • Iron
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods
  • Predictive Value of Tests

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