Heart-induced movements in the thorax as detected by MRI

Abstract

In order to provide information for the use of radar in diagnostics a qualitative map of movements in the thorax has been obtained. This map was based on magnetic resonance image sequences of a human thorax during suspended respiration. The movements were measured using two distinct techniques. Segmentation provided measures of aorta dilatation and displacements, and image edge detection indicated other movements. The largest heart movements were found in the anterior and left regions of the heart with in-plane displacements on the order of 1 cm and which caused lung vessels displacements on the order of 2-3mm especially on the left side due to the heart ventricular. Mechanical coupling between the heart and aorta caused aorta displacements and shape distortions. Despite this coupling, aorta dilatations most likely reflected blood pressure variations.