30 June 2022

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

As a global community, SCMR is committed to expanding CMR education around the world. In the spirit of that commitment, I am excited to announce SCMR’s representation at three upcoming international events.

This summer and autumn, the Society will be participating in three meetings in Latin America. We are honored to be represented at the Congress of the Department of Cardiovascular Imaging (DIC) in São Paulo, Brazil, 29-31 July, 2022; the ANCAM (Asociación Nacional de Cardiólogos de México) Regional Meeting in Monterrey, Mexico, 5-6 August, 2022; and the World Congress of Cardiology (WCC) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 13-15 October, 2022.

After two years of global pandemic and lockdowns, it is more important than ever for those of us in the CMR field to reach out to patients and colleagues in all corners of the world. These events in Latin America will increase SCMR’s presence outside the United States and Europe and provide our members with an opportunity to learn from and share expertise with a new, diverse network of communities in the field.

It has always been a goal of SCMR to expand its international activities. Representation at these events with our host organizations in Latin America bring us a step closer to making our vision of a truly global, inclusive community a reality.

Sincerely,

Carlos Rochitte, MD, PhD, FSCMR

Vice Secretary-Treasurer

Are you Starting and Developing a CMR Program? Need Some Advice?

The SCMR Clinical Practice Committee’s mission is to develop clinical standards for the practice of CMR, including safety, and to address issues regarding credentialing, certification, and laboratory accreditation. The Committee has a diverse group of volunteers from several continents. Apart from developing practical How I Do sessions, clinical practice related documents and practical tools, the Committee features the CMR Practice Advisory Group, where experienced CMR volunteers support the community by providing advice, assistance, and mentoring for physicians starting and developing CMR programs.

How to get advice from Practice Advisory Group?

• Complete the form on the website. 
• Detail your question/issues well.
• Don’t forget to list your location.

The Group will review your submission and will get in touch with you. The objective of the discussion will be to tailor the advice to the specific question or issue.

Sincerely,

Monika (Aržanauskaitė) Radikė, MD

Chair, Clinical Practice Committee

Artificial Intelligence in CMR SIG

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to enable important advances that may revolutionize CMR; however, such advances require expertise from disparate fields. The AI in CMR Special Interest Group (SIG) seeks to bring together members of the cardiology, radiology, MRI physics, data science, and artificial intelligence communities and provide a forum to discuss advances in this area, make proposals for standardization and validation of methods and generate a roadmap to translate AI solutions into the clinics. These topics were the subjects of lively discussions by members of the AI in CMR SIG during the SCMR 25th Annual Scientific Meeting in February and during the “SCMR-EACVI summit of AI in CMR” held in-person in London in May, with the participation of SIG members as programme organizers, speakers and attendees. We are looking forward to the next in-person SIG meeting in San Diego during the 2023 SCMR Annual Scientific Meeting and will be preparing a survey to identify the best format and topics the members would like to discuss in this meeting. SCMR Special Interest Groups are a member benefit, click the button below to sign up today. 

Guidelines For the Use of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in Pediatric Congenital and Acquired Heart Disease

The first CMR guidelines in pediatric congenital and acquired cardiovascular heart disease was just published at the end of June simultaneously in both JCMR and Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging. Encompassing 71 pages and close to 600 references, this SCMR guideline was endorsed by the American Heart Association, European Association of Cardiovascular Imaging, American Society of Echocardiography, North American Society for Cardiovascular Imaging, and Society for Pediatric Radiology. Fogel and colleagues cover topics ranging from single ventricle to transposition of the great arteries, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy to myocarditis, and ventricular function to Qp/Qs, all with a pediatric bent. This will be a useful guide to clinicians to direct pediatric care as well as finding utility in future policy making.

Mark A. Fogel, MD, FSCMR 

JCMR Impact Factor Rises Again!

Congratulations to Warren Manning, MD, MSCMR, the entire JCMR editorial team and staff, and the publisher for their support in achieving new heights for JCMR. Clarivate Analytics released the 2021 Journal Citation report today, and we’re pleased to report that the 2021 Impact Factor (IF) for JCMR is now 6.903—a very healthy increase from last year's IF of 5.364.

This puts JCMR in the first quartile for the Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems category, placed 34 out of 143 journals. The journal is also in the first quartile in the Radiology, Nuclear Medicine & Medical Imaging category, ranking 21 out of 136 journals. The 5 Year Impact Factor has increased from 6.522 (last year) to 7.245.

The IF will be updated on the journal website, alongside a number of metrics including the turnaround times and number of downloads in order to provide readers with a more rounded view of journal performance. 

Save the Date for SCMR 26th Annual Scientific Sessions

25 - 28 January 2023

Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina

San Diego, CA, USA

Hear from experts in the field, learn the latest in CMR, and network with colleagues around the world at this premier event for CMR professionals! Featuring scientific sessions and hands-on case sessions on various topics like coronary artery disease, cardiac masses, CMR in cardio-oncology, vascular imaging, and multi-modality imaging in valvular heart disease. Registration and lodging Information coming soon!

Call for abstracts will open in July!

Exhibit at the SCMR 26th Annual Scientific Sessions

Exhibiting or sponsoring at the SCMR Annual Scientific Sessions puts your organization in front of more than 1,400 CMR professionals from our international audience attending both in-person and virtually. SCMR is the leading organization of global healthcare professionals committed to furthering the development and clinical application of CMR.

Join other imaging, pharmaceutical, medical device, clinical diagnostic, software, publishing, not-for-profit, and recruiting organizations while making connections with important industry leaders to showcase your company’s products and services.

Dates: Wednesday, 25 January–Saturday, 28 January 2022

Location: Sheraton San Diego Hotel & Marina, San Diego, CA, USA

For information on exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities, view the 2023 Exhibitor Prospectus and contact Adrianne Stokes, Manager of Professional Relations, at astokes@connect2amc.com.

Highlights of the Virtual Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance 2022 Scientific Conference: CMR: improving cardiovascular care around the world

Purvi Parwani, MD

Corresponding Author

In case you missed out on #SCMR2022, check out the highlights published in @journalofCMR this month. The 25th SCMR Annual Scientific Sessions saw 1524 registered participants from more than 50 countries attending the meeting virtually. Supporting the theme “CMR: Improving Cardiovascular Care Around the World,” the meeting included 179 invited talks, 52 sessions including 3 plenary sessions, 2 keynote talks, and a total of 93 cases and 416 posters. The sessions were designed to showcase the multifaceted role of CMR in identifying and prognosticating various myocardial pathologies. The major areas of focus for the future are likely to be rapid efficient and high value CMR exams, automated and quantitative acquisition and post-processing using artificial intelligence and machine learning, multi-contrast imaging and advanced vascular imaging including 4D flow.

Recognizing Your Hard Work and Dedication to the CMR Field

The FSCMR designation provides a way for physicians, scientists, and technologists to be recognized for their dedication to SCMR and the field of CMR. FSCMR designation distinguishes those with a significant level of involvement, dedication, and accomplishments consistent with the overall mission of the Society. Benefits of FSCMR designation include entitlement to use the FSCMR credential, a credential certificate for your documentation, recognition in the SCMR Newsletter and website, inclusion in the forthcoming Patient Information Portal, recognition on name badges and Final Program at SCMR meetings, FSCMR lapel pin, and formal recognition at SCMR’s Annual Business Meeting. New for 2022, FSCMR designees will also receive preferred consideration for premier volunteer opportunities (writer or reviewer) for position statements and guidelines published by SCMR and partner societies. Learn more about eligibility criteria and how to apply!

Thank you to the members of the SCMR Translation Committee for all their efforts translating selected critical publications to extend their global reach in the field of CMR. Visitors can view translated articles by publication title or click on one of the following languages to view papers translated into a specific language: Italian, Japanese, Korean, Persian, Portuguese, Romanian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, and Turkish.

In addition to these translated publication papers, the Translations Committee has also made contributions to the translation of several presentations from the SCMR "How I Do..." educational series. This series breaks down step-by-step how CMR experts perform a specific CMR protocol. Visit the "How I Do..." series webpage to learn more.

SCMR is looking for volunteers to translate publications. In order to engage CMR professionals around the world, the Society is working to ensure that the necessary education is available in languages other than English. If you are a fluent or near-fluent member capable of providing clinical-level translations, please submit the interest form. There is no deadline for applying. Applications will be reviewed year-round.

Making Cardiac MRI Accessible in the US Pacific Northwest

Kevin M. Steel, DO, FSCMR

In the northwest corner of the United States, Bellingham Washington’s cardiac MRI program is rapidly expanding. Within the past three years, there has been a 250% increase in the number of cardiac specific scans, likely reaching over 1000 combined stress and non-stress MRIs in 2022. The success of the program is attributed to close collaboration of local cardiologists, radiologists, technologists and hospital leadership. We added stress MRI to our repertoire 18 months ago, and now one of every five pharmacologic stress tests (SPECT, dobutamine echocardiography, cardiac MRI) are done by MRI. The demand for stress MRI has been so great that we recently expanded to a free standing MRI facility, building another MRI program from the ground up.

Almost all stress MRI programs are within academic hospitals, which are often considerable distances away from our patients. It is my hope that our freestanding MRI program can serve as a model for future imaging centers that want to deliver superior cutting edge technology to patients who live far from academic imaging centers.

This was an exciting month for #whyCMR and #CHD!!!

Dr. Mark Fogel and colleagues worked for the last few years to develop guidelines for pediatric acquired and congenital heart disease. This was published simultaneously in JCMR and Circulation:Cardiovascular Imaging this June. Congrats to the entire team!!!

Dr. Sujatha Buddhe, Associate Professor of Pediatrics at University of Washington, spoke on the topic of cardiac MRI and congenital heart disease on the Pediheart: Pediatric Cardiology Today podcast!! She is the first author of a recent SCMR survey study assessing trends in CMR interpretation in children, length of scans, and advantages of different types of scanners.

Coming up in July

The Machine Learning Subcommittee of SCMR are pleased to announce a series of three hands-on workshops on the use of Machine Learning (ML) in MRI for congenital heart disease. These are aimed at beginners in the field of Machine Learning but available to anyone who wants to learn the basics of ML. There is no cost, you do not need to be an SCMR member, and each session is 1.5 hours. Contact Jenny at jennifer.steeden@ucl.ac.uk for more information. First session: General principles and theory of machine learning, Wednesday, 27 July, 2022, 5 pm UK time. 

Want to learn more about an initiative to support faculty in pediatric cardiac imaging applying for funding? Want to hear from leaders regarding how they overcame career challenges? Join us for our inaugural Pediatric Cardiac Research Initiative in Imaging to Support Mentoring (PRIISM) webinar with advice from the experts! 26 July, 6-7 pm US ET. Register today! Email me at kf2549@cumc.columbia.edu with any questions.

Research Initiatives

Dr. Olga H. Toro Salazar, MD, and colleagues are launching an “Imaging in Cardiac Hematology Oncology Research” Consortium (ICHOR). Objectives are (1) to Stimulate collaboration for multimodality CV imaging research in cardio-oncology; (2) Share new ideas/study proposals utilizing CV imaging; (3) Encourage projects that fill major gaps in our knowledge of CV imaging related to cardio-oncology. The initial focus is understanding cardiovascular disease in pediatric cancer patients through the use of traditional and novel CMR imaging parameters and to incorporate CMR parameters into a risk stratification tool including social determinants of health to predict adverse cardiac outcomes. For more information please contact Otoro@connecticutchildrens.org.

Kanwal Farooqi, MD

Department of Pediatrics

Columbia University, New York, United States

MACiV Study

Last Call To Participate in the MACiV Study!

The MACiV (Myocarditis After COViD Vaccination) study, supported and endorsed by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and SCMR is an international multicenter study evaluating children, adolescents, and young adults with COVID Vaccine-Associated Myocarditis and following their mid- and long-term outcomes. Thank you to all the SCMR members who are part of the study already! Recruitment for new sites is closing soon. If interested in participation, please contact Supriya Jain sjain7@nymc.edu 

Stress Perfusion Imaging–Slice Positioning

When positioning the imaging slices prior to perfusion imaging there are several considerations to keep in mind:

1. Always use three long axis cine images to plan the slices and scroll through the phases so the heart is shown in end systole, see images below.
2. Position the basal slice slightly below the LVOT on the 3C image. This will ensure a complete ring of myocardium is displayed on the basal perfusion image.
3. Ensure your last slice is not too close to the LV apex, and a good ring of myocardium is seen around the ventricle cavity on the apical perfusion image.
4. To maximize the coverage of the slices across the ventricle, while adhering to points 2 and 3, manipulate the slice gap parameter.
5. Always run a test perfusion sequence before starting the stress medication to make sure the slice positioning is correct, and there is no wrap round or susceptibility artefact over the ventricles.

"How Do I Do..."

How Do I Do ... 4D Flow 

Created by Jose F. Rodriguez-Palomares, MD, PhD, FSCMR; Christopher J. François, MD, FSCMR; Oliver Wieben, PhD, FSCMR; Sebastian Kozerke, PhD, FSCMR; Malenka Bissell, MD, PhD; Francesca Raimondi, MD; Andrea Guala, MD; Nicholas Burris, MD; Sergio Uribe, PhD; Andrew J. Powell, MD, FSCMR; Albert Hsiao, MD, PhD; Michael Markl, PhD, FSCMR

The “How I Do” CMR Series has grown! “How I Do 4D Flow MRI” has been added to the “How I Do” library at scmr.org. This presentation covers

• 4D Flow MRI Sequences
• 4D Flow MRI Protocols for Common Clinical Applications
• 4D Flow MRI Post-Processing and Advanced Hemodynamic Parameters
• Intracardiac Flow
• Clinical Applications: Valvular Heart Disease, Aortic Diseases, Heart Failure, Congenital Heart Disease

The “How I Do” CMR Series is a members only educational series demonstrating how members of the SCMR Clinical Practice Committee perform specific CMR scans.* If you have additional questions submit them to the CMR Practice Advisory Group where an experienced CMR volunteers will provide advice, assistance, and mentoring for physicians starting and developing Cardiovascular MRI programs.

*These represent personal opinions for your information and are not official SCMR policy.

Cardiomyopathies

12 July 2022

Online

Volumes

20 July 2022

Online

SCMR China Webinar Recordings

The following webinar recordings are now available in SCMR's online learning portal. 

Late Gadolinium Enhancement

Perfusion Imaging & Ischemic Heart Disease

Webinar generously sponsored by Siemens Healthineers.

Flow and Valves

4D Flow for Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease: Clinical Use and Future Directions Webinar Recording

4D Flow for Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease: Clinical Use and Future Directions Webinar Recording

On Demand

Moderated by: Dr. Sujatha Buddhe, Seattle Children's Hospital, USA; Dr. Simon Lee, Nationwide Children's Hospital, USA; and Dr. LaDonna Malone, Children's Hospital Colorado, USA

Speakers: Dr. Ali Syed, Stanford, USA, and Dr. Reena Ghosh, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, USA

Panelists: Dr. Shreyas Vasanawala, Stanford, USA, and Dr. Mark Fogel, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, USA

SCMR’s one-hour webinar, recorded on18 May 2022, is now available for on-demand access!

Learn how to implement clinical use of 4D flow phase contrast imaging and how it will aid in evaluating pediatric congenital heart disease. Our expert speakers and panelists will help you better understand how to apply 4D flow in pediatric congenital heart disease, replace previous 2D phase contrast methods, and maintain image quality and validity of data to guide clinical management.

This webinar recording qualifies for CME credit and is free to SCMR members and nonmembers! This is the first of three webinars by SCMR's Peds/CHD subcommittee that will offer CME credit.

A 56-year-old African American male with known essential hypertension presented to the emergency department for an evaluation of elevated home blood pressure readings. On review of symptoms, patient reported mild, intermittent, self-limited, non-radiating mid chest tightness that would last for a few minutes and had been ongoing for past few days. There were no aggravating or relieving factors. Rest of review of symptoms were non-contributory. Patient denied any other medical problems and was currently not taking any medications. Patient denied any use of tobacco, alcohol, or any recreational substance. Family history was significant for history of stroke.

Figure 1. Coronal view of CT demonstrating an LV pseudoaneurysm (white arrow).

What Caught Our Cardiac MR Eyes This Month?

by Manish Motwani, Newsletter Editor

Twitter-based #WhyCMR journal watch 📚⌚- join the online discussion!

1.  INCAPS2: cardiac imaging strikes back after COVID peaks! 🌎🦠💥📸
2. 4D flow PDA – phwoar-D! 🌪
3. RV insertion point enhancement in NICM – no prognostic impact 🤷‍♀️
4. Layer-specific strain analysis in myocarditis 🌬🍰
5. Structural & metabolic remodeling in AS - CMR spectroscopy insights ☮
6. Validation of AI measures for right heart pressures 🧲🤖
7. 4D-flow CMR meets PET: novel metabolic & wall shear stress aorta imaging 🌪 🧲🐰
8. Iron & edema can persist in infarct core >10y after large/severe STEMI!
9. LA strain directly related to prognosis in DCM, incremental to LGE 📈🌬
10. Sustainable low-field CMR – levelling-up global disparities 🌍🧲
11. Expert practical review: CMR in Patients with Fontan Circulation 🚨💓👩‍🔧

Research

Free-running cardiac and respiratory motion-resolved 5D whole-heart coronary cardiovascular magnetic resonance angiography in pediatric cardiac patients using ferumoxytol

Roy, et al.

Published on: 27 June 2022

Please use this link for a filtered PubMed list of all CMR-related manuscripts for June 2022—more than 400 in total!

Visit the SCMR Career Center Today!

Looking for an all-in-one resource to advance your career in CMR? SCMR’s Career Center offers great resources for resume review, workplace wellness, career growth, virtual networking, and more. Visit the Career Center to stay on top of job openings in the CMR field. Browse for new opportunities by job function or location.

Employers can search for resumes in our Resume Bank and view complete resumes for free. Job seekers can check out the Featured Career Advice section for essential tips on interviewing, networking, personal branding, and more. Give your career a boost today and discover all the opportunities at the Career Center.