ANATOMY-FOUND · Novel Imaging of the heart for new structural and metabolic diagnosis

Novel Imaging of the heart for new structural and metabolic diagnosis

What are the overall objectives? Each year cardiovascular disease (CVD) causes over 4 mio deaths in Europe. Predictions suggest that 80% of premature heart disease and stroke is preventable, but ~20% of CVDs are misdiagnosed, and in elderly patients up to 60% of CVDs remain undiagnosed. We need to develop new technologies and strategies for early and accurate diagnosis of the biggest killer in western society. Early CVD processes begin in heart cells, before evolving to the ’macro’ pathology recognisable by traditional techniques. Clinicians desire a non-invasive technique that can provide high-resolution micro-anatomy in 3-dimensions, and organ specific regional metabolic assessment. However the intricate micro-anatomy of the heart and its dynamic relationship with cardiac function is still fiercely debated. We set out to investigate the following questions: 1) what is the true micro-anatomy of the heart, and how is it remodelled in disease? 2) What is the role of 3-dimensional micro-anatomy in 4-dimensional pump function? 3) Does micro-anatomical remodelling correlate with regional changes in metabolism? Using state-of-the-art non-invasive 3d and 4d ex-vivo and in-vivo imaging methodologies, we attempted to answer these questions. In this regard, we have provided novel information regarding the 3D disposition of the cardiac conduction system in normal and congenitally malformed human hearts. We have shed light on the true micro-anatomy of the working myocardium, challenging traditional views, and providing new insight into how the micro-structure of the heart facilitates contraction and is modified in disease. We also confirmed the efficacy of in-vivo metabolic imaging for the assessment of metabolic impairment in heart failure. With initial results suggesting micro-anatomical remodelling does accompany regional metabolic remodelling. We now have an improved understanding of the micro-anatomy of the heart in 3-dimensions and its relationship with contraction and metabolism in disease. We hope that our findings and on-going research will aid in detecting and correlating novel morphological and metabolic changes upstream of the macro-anatomical and non-specific metabolic changes, providing the foundation for a step-wise change in diagnosis of CVD.

Текст от CORDIS, на английски · Данни: CORDIS, © Европейски съюз