Reconstructed image of the human heart based on magnetic resonance images for total artificial heart implantation.

Parameters used to develop a three-dimensional reconstructed image of the remaining heart after total artificial heart implantation (i.e., for the mitral and tricuspid annuli, ascending aorta (AO), and pulmonary artery [PA]) were calculated based on reconstructed images from data obtained from four magnetic resonance (MR) image views: 1) transverse, 2) coronal, 3) left ventricular long axis (LAX), and 4) four chamber view (FCV). The values obtained were compared with those obtained from silicone models of the same hearts. It was found that, of the four MR image views, LAX and FCV provided the greatest numbers of points reflecting annular contour that were useful in reconstruction of the atrioventricular (AV) annuli, and the highest percentages of segmented outline-connecting points less than 1 cm apart for the total outline. The AV annuli were sliced in the least slice time using FCV imaging. The authors applied FCV MR imaging to a beating heart to reconstruct the AV annuli and obtained accurate results. To quantify more accurately the data for the axis directions of AO and PA, research to establish a new orientation on the thorax is in progress.