Congenital heart disease

Improving Clinical Utility of Fetal Cine CMR Using Deep Learning Super-Resolution

Circ Cardiovasc ImagingPublished prospective study

Authors' conclusion

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.

Study context

Population
Participants with fetal congenital heart disease undergoing fetal cardiovascular magnetic resonance in the third trimester of pregnancyparticipants (median gestational age, 35.9 weeks [interquartile range (IQR), 35.1–36.4])
Participants
42 participants
Exposure
Deep learning super-resolution reconstructions of low-resolution cine (cine DL) vs cine images acquired at normal resolution
Outcome
Acquisition time

Main finding

As reported in the abstract

Cine DL

134±9.6

s

Cine images acquired at normal resolution

252±8.8

s

P < 0.001

Observational data: associations, not effects.

Further findings

OutcomeCine DLCine images acquired at normal resolutionP value
Image quality score: fetal motion (5-point Likert)Median4.0 (IQR 4.0–5.0)4.0 (IQR 3.0–4.0)P < 0.001
Nonpatient-related artifacts (eg, backfolding)More pronounced in cine DL4.0 (IQR 4.0–5.0)5.0 (IQR 3.0–4.0)P < 0.001
  • Image quality score: fetal motion (5-point Likert): quantitative image quality metrics and image quality scores for cine DL higher or comparable

Volumetry and functional results

Comparable

Additional findings with cine DL

Additional structures
10 of 42 fetuses (24%)
Additional pathologies, including partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection
5 of 42 fetuses (12%)

Original publication

Improving Clinical Utility of Fetal Cine CMR Using Deep Learning Super-Resolution. Circ Cardiovasc Imaging. Published 26 June 2025. doi:10.1161/circimaging.125.018090

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