Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic

Resonance BioMed Central

Poster presentation Open Access

Four dimensional analysis of aortic magnetic resonance
images in connective tissue disorders: Novel indices of local and
regional vessel properties
Ryan Johnson*, Senthil Premraj, Sonali Patel, Andreas Wahle, Milan Sonka
and Thomas Scholz

Address: University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, USA

* Corresponding author

from 13th Annual SCMR Scientific Sessions

Phoenix, AZ, USA. 21-24 January 2010

Published: 21 January 2010

Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance 2010, 12(Suppl 1):P240 doi:10.1186/1532-429X-12-S1-P240

<supplement> <title> <p>Abstracts of the 13^thAnnual SCMR Scientific Sessions - 2010</p> </title> <note>Meeting abstracts - A single PDF containing all abstracts in this Supplement is available <a href="http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/files/pdf/1532-429X-11-S1-full.pdf">here</a>.</note> <url>http://www.biomedcentral.com/content/files/pdf/1532-429X-11-S1-info</url> </supplement>

This abstract is available from: http://jcmr-online.com/content/12/S1/P240

© 2010 Johnson et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Introduction history of aortic dissection (n = 5). Robust automated

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a primary modality analysis from the 4D image dataset showed good repro-
for following patients with connective tissue diseases, yet ducibility by repeated measures ANOVA (p < 0.05) in Ctrl,
the amount image data precludes comprehensive analy- which allowed construction of a nomogram for the 5th to
sis. 95th percentile of CSA along the entire aorta (Figure 1). In
Pt, automated calculated aortic root dimensions at several
Purpose levels correlated closely with echo measurements (R =
The goal of this study was to develop an automated 4D 0.74 - 0.87). Mean CSA in the proximal and distal thirds
analysis method and demonstrate novel data presentation
and parameters with prognostic potential.

Methods
MR scans of the thoracic aorta were acquired over 3 years
on controls (Ctrl; n = 32) and patients with connective tis-
sue disease (Pt; n = 37). Images were obtained at 1.5 T
using a True FISP sequence. Imaging planes included left
ventricular outflow tract and aortic arch views. 4D data
from the two views were merged and a graph theory-based
segmentation algorithm was applied to quantitate cross
sectional area (CSA) and novel parameters for the entire
length of aorta throughout the cardiac cycle.

Results
Ctrl were younger than Pt (Median age (years +/- SEM):
Ctrl = 29.8 ± 4.9; Pt = 37 ± 18) although body surface area
(BSA) was similar (Median BSA (m2 +/- SEM): Ctrl = 1.8
Figurecross
Aortic 1 sectional area nomogram
± 1.2; Pt = 2.0 ± 0.3). Connective tissue disorders included Aortic cross sectional area nomogram.
Marfan (n = 9), thoracic aortic aneurysm (n = 12), bicus-
pid aortic valve (n = 5), Ehlers Danlos (n = 3), and family

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Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance 2010, 12(Suppl 1):P240 http://jcmr-online.com/content/12/S1/P240

Figuresectional
Cross 2 area as a function of position on aorta: Pt vs
Cross sectional area as a function of position on
aorta: Pt vs. Ctrl.

of the Pt thoracic aorta was significantly greater than Ctrl

(p < 0.001) (Figure 2). Novel parameters calculated from
the 4D data included centroid displacement (aortic move-
ment during the cardiac cycle), eccentricity (asymmetry of
the vessel) and regional CSA (effective vessel volume).
Eccentricity was significantly different between Pt and Ctrl
at the aortic root, and transverse arch (p < 0.05).

Conclusion
The automated analysis method allowed for rapid and
reliable quantitative 4D assessment of the entire aorta.
This technique should prove useful not only for routine
patient management but also for investigative evaluation
of novel parameters that may predict aortic disease pro-
gression.

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