Advanced Cardiac Imaging: Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) from edX

GOLD Award Winner of QS Reimagine Education Award 2021 in Life Sciences!

This course is for radiologists, cardiologists, radiographers/ technologists and other health professionals who want to learn more about cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). Previous experience in CMR is not required.

The learning outcomes are:

Understanding of the basic CMR physics and sequences in order to better understand how to acquire cardiac images and how to assess commonly used sequences (eg. Steady state free precession sequence, phase contrast to measure blood flow, T2* and magnetic resonance angiography).
Understand the safety profile and risks of contrast agents used in CMR.
Ability to analyse CMR images at SCMR level 1 competency such as stress perfusion, late gadolinium enhancement and post-processing for ventricular function.
Attain hands-on experience to analyse real clinical cases from a database of 50 clinical cases, using dedicated CMR software, as well as further supplementation through our web forum.
Basic understanding of future developments in the CMR field such as exercise CMR, artificial intelligence, feature tracking, T1 and T2 mapping.
Provide career advice and thoughts from well-known CMR experts through exclusive interviews.

A MOOC on cardiac computed tomography (CT) is also available on this platform in order to introduce you to this complementary cardiovascular imaging technique.

本课程是与国际心血管磁共振学会（SCMR）合作开发的，适合想要深度了解心血管磁共振成像（CMR）的放射科医师，心内科及心外科医师，放射科技师/工程师和其他医疗健康专业人士。而无需具备CMR经验。

学习目标如下：

了解基本的CMR物理和序列知识，以便更好地了解如何获取心脏图像以及如何评估常用序列（例如，稳态自由进动序列，相位对比血流测量，T2 *和磁共振血管造影）。
了解CMR造影剂的安全性和风险。
具备SCMR 1级CMR图像分析能力，例如负荷灌注，延迟强化和心室功能后处理。
临床病例数据库中获取50个真实病例，利用专业后处理软件及学习平台提供的资料进行教学操作，获得实践经验。
对CMR领域未来发展的基本了解，如人工智能、特征追踪，以及T1和T2定量成像。
通过独家访谈获取知名CMR专家对学生的职业建议和想法。

此平台上还提供心脏计算机断层扫描（CT）的公开课，以全面介绍这两种优势互补的心血管成像技术。

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Learning objectives

Introduction of advanced techniques such as t1 and t2 mapping, feature tracking and exercise cmr.
The different sequences used in cardiac mri imaging and the physics behind these sequences.
How to acquire the cardiac imaging planes.
How to assess the ventricular function, late gadolinium enhancement and t2* for iron overload.
Understanding the normal appearances of the pericardium, heart muscle, valves and vasculature.
Understand how different cardiac pathologies result in different forms of cardiac remodelling.
An overview of the main cardiac diseases, such as coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies (eg. hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy), valvular heart disease, cardiac tumours and congenital heart disease.
简介高级技术，例如t1和t2分布图，特征跟踪和运动负荷cmr。

心脏mri成像中使用的不同序列及其物理背景知识。
心脏成像平面的获得方法。
如何分析心室功能、延迟强化以及利用 t2* 评价心肌铁负荷。
了解心包、心肌、瓣膜以及血管的正常表现。
明白不同的心肌疾病如何造成不同的心脏形态改变。
常见心脏疾病的概述，例如冠状动脉疾病，心肌病（例如肥厚性心肌病，扩张型心肌病），心脏瓣膜病，心脏肿瘤和先天性心脏病。
通过网络研讨会和论坛，了解并体验如何使用专用软件分析心脏图像。
利用正常志愿者和真实病例学习心室功能、血流和t1 /t2 mapping分析方法。

Introduction of advanced techniques such as t1 and t2 mapping, feature tracking and exercise cmr.
The different sequences used in cardiac mri imaging and the physics behind these sequences.
How to acquire the cardiac imaging planes.
How to assess the ventricular function, late gadolinium enhancement and t2* for iron overload.
Understanding the normal appearances of the pericardium, heart muscle, valves and vasculature.
Understand how different cardiac pathologies result in different forms of cardiac remodelling.
An overview of the main cardiac diseases, such as coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies (eg. hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, dilated cardiomyopathy), valvular heart disease, cardiac tumours and congenital heart disease.
简介高级技术，例如t1和t2分布图，特征跟踪和运动负荷cmr。
心脏mri成像中使用的不同序列及其物理背景知识。
心脏成像平面的获得方法。
如何分析心室功能、延迟强化以及利用 t2* 评价心肌铁负荷。
了解心包、心肌、瓣膜以及血管的正常表现。
明白不同的心肌疾病如何造成不同的心脏形态改变。
常见心脏疾病的概述，例如冠状动脉疾病，心肌病（例如肥厚性心肌病，扩张型心肌病），心脏瓣膜病，心脏肿瘤和先天性心脏病。
通过网络研讨会和论坛，了解并体验如何使用专用软件分析心脏图像。
利用正常志愿者和真实病例学习心室功能、血流和t1 /t2 mapping分析方法。

Syllabus

WEEK 1: Sequences, Acquisition, Contrast Agents and Basic Physics

This MOOC will begin with a course on the common cardiac MR sequences, the physics and application behind those sequences. We will also learn how to acquire cardiac MR imaging planes.

WEEK 2: Cardiomyopathies, LGE and T2

In this section, we will teach you how to assess and analyse ventricular function, LGE and T2*. We will also give you an overview of the main common cardiac diseases, such as coronary artery disease and cardiomyopathy.

WEEK 3: Coronary Artery Disease, Aorta, Pericardium and Valves

CMR techniques such as stress perfusion imaging, CMR sequences and methods for assessing aortopathy, pericarditis with or without constriction and valvular disease will be covered in this section.

WEEK 4: Congenital Heart Disease and Paediatric Scanning

This section will cover the role of CMR in congenital heart disease. You will also learn scanning techniques and common indications for babies and children.

WEEK 5: Advanced and Future Developments

In the last section, we will cover exciting advances in cardiac MRI, such as exercise CMR, T1/T2 mapping, artificial intelligence and feature tracking.

Clinical Cases:

You will also have hands-on experience to review clinical cases (eg. stress CMR with x-ray catheter angiography correlation) with tutorial videos every week.

第1周：序列，图像采集，造影剂和基础物理

首先介绍常见心脏MR序列及其物理和基础应用。我们还将学习如何获取心脏MR成像平面。

第2周：心脏疾病，延迟强化和T2*图像分析

在本节中，我们将教您如何评估和分析心室功能，延迟强化和T2 *。我们还将介绍常见的心脏疾病，如冠状动脉疾病和心肌病。

第3周冠狀動脈疾病，主動脈，心包和瓣膜

本節將介紹CMR技術，例如负荷灌注成像，CMR序列以及評估主動脈病變，有或沒有缩窄性改变的心包炎，以及瓣膜疾病。

第4周：先天性心脏病及儿童CMR扫描

本节将介绍先天性心脏病以及CMR在其中的应用。我们还将学习相关的扫描技术，以及婴儿和儿童的常见适应症。

第5周：前沿和未来发展

在最后一节中，我们将向您介绍CMR的一些令人振奋的进展，例如运动负荷成像，T1/T2 mapping ，人工智能和特征追踪。

临床病例：

您还将有机会通过网络研讨会和网络论坛讨论每周练习的临床病例（例如负荷灌注CMR并结合相应冠状动脉X线造影结果）。

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the full suite of clinical applications of cardiac MRI

Covers basic concepts such as physics, image acquisition, and analysis

Provides hands-on experience through case studies and interactive materials

Taught by experts in the field, including Dr. Shihua Zhao and Dr. Elsie Nguyen

Supported by the International Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance

Develops a strong foundation for understanding and applying cardiac MRI techniques

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Advanced Cardiac Imaging: Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) with these activities:

Organise Course Materials

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Make a habit of keeping all your course material in one place. This will increase your efficiency in finding the information that you need when you most need it.

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Set up a binder or digital folder to store all materials.
Regularly document notes from the lectures, readings and any other assignments or videos.

Review Basic Cardiac Physiology

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This course assumes prior knowledge of basic physiology. Reviewing the basic electrophysiology of the heart will help you to understand the basis for CMR imaging and how it differs from CT angiography. You should also review anatomy.

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Review of Cardiovascular Anatomy

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The heart's function is highly correlated to its structure. To understand the images in this course, it is recommended that you review cardiovascular anatomy.

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Form Study Groups

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As we progress through the course, there is going to be a lot of information covered at a quick pace. Forming a study group will help you to review the material, understand confusing concepts and prepare for assignments.

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Connect with other learners taking the course and ask if they would like to form a study group.
Set up a regular meeting time either online or in-person.
Decide how you will cover the material. Will you go through the course together, focus on problem areas, or practice analysing images?

Image Processing Software Tutorial

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Learning to use the dedicated CMR image processing software will increase the value that you get from the hands-on experience in this course. This tutorial will get you off to a good start with the software.

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Access the tutorial from the course website.
Work through the tutorial to become familiar with the basic functions of the software.
Use the software to create a project and begin to analyse some of the provided sample images.

Annotated CMR Images

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It is important for you to be able to understand the purpose, strengths and weaknesses of each CMR sequence. By annotating sample images from each sequence, you will build a study aid to take with you going forward.

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Download sample images from the course website.
Use image editing software to draw relevant structures and markings on the image. Include scale bars.
Create a title and legend to clearly identify the anatomical structures visualised on the image.

Image Analysis Practice

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Directly analysing clinical images will help you to solidify your understanding of CMR. This practice is especially important if you plan to use this technology in your future medical practice.

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Download case images from the course website or other reputable sources.
Use the image processing software to analyse the images.
Attempt to identify any relevant pathology and provide differential diagnoses.
Compare your findings with the provided reference interpretations.

Contribute to CMR Software

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This course uses open source software for processing CMR images. Contributing to the project will help you to understand it better, at the same time, you will make it better for others.

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Identify a problem or feature that you would like to add to the software.
Fork the project's repository on GitHub.
Implement the changes.
Submit a pull request.

CMR Research Workshop

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If you want to take your knowledge to the next level, consider attending a CMR research workshop. This will allow you to work with experts and learn new advanced techniques.

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Career center

Learners who complete Advanced Cardiac Imaging: Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Research Scientist

Research in cardiac imaging is growing, and as a Research Scientist in this field, you may explore topics such as artificial intelligence in CMR, new CMR sequences, machine learning, or other related topics. This course will help you grasp the fundamental principles of cardiac MRI and the physics behind the different CMR sequences, which will give you a solid foundation for your research endeavors.

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Cardiologist

As a Cardiologist, you may play a role in performing, interpreting, and assessing Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) exams. This course helps establish the basic principles of cardiac MRI, including how to acquire images, assess sequences, and identify abnormal findings.

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Radiologic Technologist

Radiologic Technologists are responsible for helping to obtain CMR scans. Completing coursework on cardiac imaging can build a foundation in the physics of cardiac MRI, image acquisition techniques, and CMR safety, which can make you more proficient as a technologist.

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Medical Physicist

Medical Physicists are involved in the development, quality control, and safe use of medical imaging equipment, including MRI scanners. A course on advanced cardiac imaging can familiarize you with emerging developments in the field of CMR and the physics behind the sequences used in cardiac MRI.

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Radiologist

In Radiology, you will read and interpret CMR scans, among other medical imaging studies. A course on advanced cardiac imaging is a meaningful complement to your general radiology training, enabling you to become more skilled in reading and interpreting CMR exams.

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Cardiac Surgeon

As a Cardiac Surgeon, you will utilize CMR scan results in the diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions. While CMR is not something you will likely perform or read yourself, a good understanding of how it works, its capabilities, and its limitations can help you more effectively utilize these scans in your practice.

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Imaging Informatics Specialist

Imaging Informatics Specialists analyze, interpret, and manage medical images, including CMR scans. An understanding of the applications, advantages, and limitations of CMR offers an edge in this career.

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Physician Assistant

As a Physician Assistant, you may be part of a team interpreting and discussing CMR scans. A course on the principles of CMR can make you a more effective member of that team.

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Medical Writer

As a Medical Writer, you may be tasked with writing educational content on cardiac MRI. This course familiarizes you with the science behind CMR, including the different CMR sequences, their applications, and the physics behind the images they produce.

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Healthcare Consultant

Healthcare Consultants are often responsible for evaluating and advising clients on the effective use of medical technologies, including diagnostic imaging services. A course on cardiac MRI prepares you to advise clients on the latest CMR advances and best practices.

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Clinical Research Associate

Clinical Research Associates coordinate and conduct clinical trials involving medical devices and treatments. CMR may be used in some of the research studies you work on, and an understanding of cardiac MRI sequences and applications may help you complete your work more effectively.

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Health Policy Analyst

Health Policy Analysts examine and make recommendations on healthcare policy issues. Some policy issues may concern the effective and appropriate use of medical imaging, including cardiac MRI. Therefore, an understanding of the applications of cardiac MRI and the scientific principles behind the technology may help you make more informed policy choices.

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Medical Device Sales

Sales representatives in medical device sales specialize in a particular medical device or line of products. If you are working in the cardiac imaging field, this course will familiarize you with the uses and advantages of CMR scanners.

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Cardiovascular Research Nurse

Cardiovascular Research Nurses support research efforts related to heart and circulatory system disorders. Knowledge of cardiac MRI may be useful if you are working on research that involves cardiac imaging.

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Medical Librarian

Medical Librarians help people find and access medical information. They may also provide training on how to use medical databases. Completing a course on cardiac MRI gives you the opportunity to become more familiar with the research literature surrounding cardiac imaging.

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Advanced Cardiac Imaging

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR)

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