This book is a tutorial written by researchers and developers behind the FEniCS Project and explores an advanced, expressive approach to the development of mathematical software. The presentation spans mathematical background, software design and the use of FEniCS in applications. Theoretical aspects are complemented with computer code which is available as free/open source software. The book begins with a special introductory tutorial for beginners. Followingare chapters in Part I addressing fundamental aspects of the approach to automating the creation of finite element solvers. Chapters in Part II address the design and implementation of the FEnicS software. Chapters in Part III present the application of FEniCS to a wide range of applications, including fluid flow, solid mechanics, electromagnetics and geophysics.

Automated Solution of Differential Equations by the Finite Element Method: The FEniCS Book

With mounting data on its accuracy and prognostic value, cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is becoming an increasingly important diagnostic tool with growing utility in clinical routine. Given its versatility and wide range of quantitative parameters, however, agreement on specific standards for the interpretation and post-processing of CMR studies is required to ensure consistent quality and reproducibility of CMR reports. This document addresses this need by providing consensus recommendations developed by the Task Force for Post Processing of the Society for Cardiovascular MR (SCMR). The aim of the task force is to recommend requirements and standards for image interpretation and post processing enabling qualitative and quantitative evaluation of CMR images. Furthermore, pitfalls of CMR image analysis are discussed where appropriate.

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Standardized image interpretation and post processing in cardiovascular magnetic resonance: Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR) Board of Trustees Task Force on Standardized Post Processing

Aims This study investigated the relationship between right ventricular (RV) structure and function and survival in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH).

Methods and results In 64 patients, cardiac magnetic resonance, right heart catheterization, and the six-minute walk test (6MWT) were performed at baseline and after 1-year follow-up. RV structure and function were analysed as predictors of mortality. During a mean follow-up of 32 months, 19 patients died. A low stroke volume (SV), RV dilatation, and impaired left ventricular (LV) filling independently predicted mortality. In addition, a further decrease in SV, progressive RV dilatation, and further decrease in LV end-diastolic volume (LVEDV) at 1-year follow-up were the strongest predictors of mortality. According to Kaplan–Meier survival curves, survival was lower in patients with an inframedian SV index ≤ 25 mL/m2, a supramedian RV end-diastolic volume index ≥ 84 mL/m2, and an inframedian LVEDV≤40 mL/m2.

Conclusions The RV contains prognostic information in IPAH. A large RV volume, low SV, and a reduced LV volume are strong independent predictors of mortality and treatment failure.

Prognostic value of right ventricular mass, volume, and function in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Morphological and functional parameters such as chamber size and function, aortic diameters and distensibility, flow and T1 and T2* relaxation time can be assessed and quantified by cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR). Knowledge of normal values for quantitative CMR is crucial to interpretation of results and to distinguish normal from disease. In this review, we present normal reference values for morphological and functional CMR parameters of the cardiovascular system based on the peer-reviewed literature and current CMR techniques and sequences.

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Normal values for cardiovascular magnetic resonance in adults and children

Background—Fetal hypoxia has been implicated in the abnormal brain development seen in newborns with congenital heart disease (CHD). New magnetic resonance imaging technology now offers the potenti...

Reduced Fetal Cerebral Oxygen Consumption Is Associated With Smaller Brain Size in Fetuses With Congenital Heart Disease

Phase-contrast magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is a well-known but undervalued method of obtaining quantitative information on blood flow. Applications of this technique in cardiovascular MR imaging are expanding. According to the sequences available, phase-contrast measurement can be performed in a breath hold or during normal respiration. Prospective as well as retrospective gating techniques can be used. Common errors in phase-contrast imaging include mismatched encoding velocity, deviation of the imaging plane, inadequate temporal resolution, inadequate spatial resolution, accelerated flow and spatial misregistration, and phase offset errors. Flow measurements are most precise if the imaging plane is perpendicular to the vessel of interest and flow encoding is set to through-plane flow. The sequence should be repeated at least once, with a high encoding velocity used initially. If peak velocity has to be estimated, flow measurement is repeated with an adapted encoding velocity. The overall error of a ...

https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/pdf/10.1148/radiographics.22.3.g02ma11651

Christian Meier

Papers

Cardiovascular Flow Measurement with Phase-Contrast MR Imaging: Basic Facts and Implementation