Improving Clinical Utility of Fetal Cine CMR Using Deep Learning Super-Resolution.
Authors
Affiliations (5)
Affiliations (5)
- Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany. (T.M.V., C.H., A.I., M.B.V., C.C.P., D.K., J.A.L.).
- Quantitative Imaging Lab Bonn (QILaB), University Hospital Bonn, Germany. (T.M.V., C.H., A.I., D.K., J.A.L.).
- Department of Pediatric Cardiology, University Hospital Bonn, Germany. (C.H.).
- Philips GmbH Market DACH, Hamburg, Germany (C.K.).
- Department of Obstetrics and Prenatal Medicine, University Hospital Bonn, Germany. (A.G., B.S.).
Abstract
Fetal cardiovascular magnetic resonance is an emerging tool for prenatal congenital heart disease assessment, but long acquisition times and fetal movements limit its clinical use. This study evaluates the clinical utility of deep learning super-resolution reconstructions for rapidly acquired, low-resolution fetal cardiovascular magnetic resonance. This prospective study included participants with fetal congenital heart disease undergoing fetal cardiovascular magnetic resonance in the third trimester of pregnancy, with axial cine images acquired at normal resolution and low resolution. Low-resolution cine data was subsequently reconstructed using a deep learning super-resolution framework (cine<sub>DL</sub>). Acquisition times, apparent signal-to-noise ratio, contrast-to-noise ratio, and edge rise distance were assessed. Volumetry and functional analysis were performed. Qualitative image scores were rated on a 5-point Likert scale. Cardiovascular structures and pathological findings visible in cine<sub>DL</sub> images only were assessed. Statistical analysis included the Student paired <i>t</i> test and the Wilcoxon test. A total of 42 participants were included (median gestational age, 35.9 weeks [interquartile range (IQR), 35.1-36.4]). Cine<sub>DL</sub> acquisition was faster than cine images acquired at normal resolution (134±9.6 s versus 252±8.8 s; <i>P</i><0.001). Quantitative image quality metrics and image quality scores for cine<sub>DL</sub> were higher or comparable with those of cine images acquired at normal-resolution images (eg, fetal motion, 4.0 [IQR, 4.0-5.0] versus 4.0 [IQR, 3.0-4.0]; <i>P</i><0.001). Nonpatient-related artifacts (eg, backfolding) were more pronounced in Cine<sub>DL</sub> compared with cine images acquired at normal-resolution images (4.0 [IQR, 4.0-5.0] versus 5.0 [IQR, 3.0-4.0]; <i>P</i><0.001). Volumetry and functional results were comparable. Cine<sub>DL</sub> revealed additional structures in 10 of 42 fetuses (24%) and additional pathologies in 5 of 42 fetuses (12%), including partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection. Deep learning super-resolution reconstructions of low-resolution acquisitions shorten acquisition times and achieve diagnostic quality comparable with standard images, while being less sensitive to fetal bulk movements, leading to additional diagnostic findings. Therefore, deep learning super-resolution may improve the clinical utility of fetal cardiovascular magnetic resonance for accurate prenatal assessment of congenital heart disease.