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Biomedical Imaging Technologies for Cardiovascular Disease, 4th Edition
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Biomedical Imaging Technologies for Cardiovascular Disease, 4th Edition

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Biosciences and Bioengineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 28 February 2026 | Viewed by 6831

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Julio Garcia Flores

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Cardiac Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
2. Department of Radiology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
3. Stephenson Cardiac Imaging Centre, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
4. Libin Cardiovascular Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
5. Alberta Children’s Hospital Research Institute, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Interests: cardiac imaging; flow hemodynamics; experimental models; cardiac magnetic resonance; cardiovascular 4-dimensional flow (4D flow) imaging
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Biomedical imaging technologies have substantially increased in number and diversity over the past few years. Important advances in accuracy, sensitivity, and refinement have been possible thanks to technological advances in software and hardware. In particular, cardiovascular disease assessments of anatomy, hemodynamics, and tissue biomarkers have seen considerable improvement, facilitating the stratification of patient risk and therapy. The recent integration of artificial intelligence and machine learning has also been shown to support novel approaches to personalized image-based diagnosis. In addition, image-based computer-assisted diagnosis may help uncover key insights into disease progression and personalized solutions.

This Special Issue aims to explore the most recent progress made in biomedical imaging technologies for cardiovascular disease. It will cover a wide range of topics, including (but not limited to) the following:

  • Advances in cardiac echocardiography;
  • Advances in cardiac computed tomography;
  • Advances in cardiac magnetic resonance;
  • Advances in positron emission tomography;
  • Advances in cardiovascular image processing;
  • Advances in image-guided interventions;
  • Advances in personalized cardiac imaging;
  • Advances in the integration of medical imaging and computational modeling;
  • Advances in biomedical imaging using machine learning and artificial intelligence;
  • Advances in experimental cardiac imaging.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Julio Garcia Flores
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • cardiac echocardiography
  • cardiac computed tomography
  • cardiac magnetic resonance
  • cardiovascular imaging
  • image-guided interventions
  • positron emission tomography
  • personalized cardiac imaging

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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10 pages, 1757 KB  
Article
Left Atrial Blood Flow Dynamics: Preliminary Observations Using HyperDoppler
by Vittorio Smarrazzo, Vittoria Miano, Marco Maglione, Gianni Pedrizzetti and Donato Mele
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(23), 12548; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152312548 - 26 Nov 2025
Viewed by 234
Abstract
Background: Evaluation of blood flow dynamics within the left atrium (LA) using cardiac imaging techniques, such as four-dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and contrast and non-contrast ultrasound, is an area of increasing interest, especially in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). While [...] Read more.
Background: Evaluation of blood flow dynamics within the left atrium (LA) using cardiac imaging techniques, such as four-dimensional (4D) flow magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and contrast and non-contrast ultrasound, is an area of increasing interest, especially in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF). While 4D flow MRI and contrast ultrasound are limited in their application in routine clinical practice, non-contrast ultrasound techniques have the potential for extensive clinical application. However, there are no studies on LA flow dynamics evaluated using these latter techniques. Here we present the first application of HyperDoppler, a non-contrast color Doppler-based technique, to the assessment of LA flow dynamics in a case series. Methods: The transthoracic color Doppler modified apical 4-chamber view of a normal healthy subject and two patients with AF (one with persistent and the other with permanent AF) were analyzed using HyperDoppler. The resulting velocity vector map was visually examined frame-by-frame to describe LA flow dynamics. Results: In the healthy subject, HyperDoppler showed a LA flow behavior consistent with findings from the literature employing 4D flow MRI. In both patients with AF, HyperDoppler showed alterations of the LA flow dynamics pattern. Conclusions: Our preliminary observations suggest that HyperDoppler may be a valuable tool for characterizing physiological and pathological LA flow dynamics. Further studies are needed to confirm, explain and expand our initial findings. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomedical Imaging Technologies for Cardiovascular Disease, 4th Edition)
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19 pages, 5492 KB  
Article
Noninvasive Left Ventricular Pressure–Volume Loops Based on Combined 4D Flow MRI and CFD
by Paul R. Roos, Jonathan J. Thijs, Thomas in de Braekt, Rob Eerdekens, Patrick Houthuizen, Pim A. L. Tonino, Harrie C. M. van den Bosch, David Hamel, Cornelis Vuik, Sasa Kenjeres, Jos J. M. Westenberg and Hildo J. Lamb
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(22), 12305; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152212305 - 20 Nov 2025
Viewed by 502
Abstract
A novel approach to generate left ventricular (LV) pressure–volume (PV) loops from combined 4D Flow MRI and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is presented. Pressure was calculated from person-specific three-dimensional (3D) CFD models created from LV segmentations and peak-systolic pressure from the one-dimensional 111-artery [...] Read more.
A novel approach to generate left ventricular (LV) pressure–volume (PV) loops from combined 4D Flow MRI and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is presented. Pressure was calculated from person-specific three-dimensional (3D) CFD models created from LV segmentations and peak-systolic pressure from the one-dimensional 111-artery CFD model, with aortic flow from 4D Flow MRI as input. Ten healthy volunteers underwent scan–rescan MRI. Additionally, one patient without cardiovascular abnormalities underwent MRI and invasive catheter measurement for single-case comparison. Scan–rescan reproducibility was very good overall, with no significant differences in any parameters and ICCs of all parameters but minimum pressure were significant and high (0.55–0.99). Aortic flow of 3D CFD model correlated well with 4D Flow (ICC = 0.74) and stroke volume of LV segmentation (ICC = 0.90). Segmentation volume variability resulted in 12% difference in stroke work and mean external power, while aortic flow variability resulted in 10–11% difference in most parameters. Single-case comparison is promising, with only 1.8 mmHg and 0.005 mmHg/mL difference in minimum pressure and EDPVR, and <10% differences for other parameters. Noninvasive pressure–volume loops can therefore reproducibly be generated from only aortic flow, cine short axis MRI, and brachial pressure measurement. Single-case comparison shows promise, but larger validation studies are needed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomedical Imaging Technologies for Cardiovascular Disease, 4th Edition)
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14 pages, 2913 KB  
Article
Mapping 18F-FDG Positron Emission Tomography Uptake in the Aortic Wall and Thrombus: Validation and Reproducibility
by Mireia Bragulat-Arévalo, Marta Ferrer-Cornet, Lydia Dux-Santoy, Ruper Oliveró-Soldevila, Marvin Garcia-Reyes, Gisela Teixidó-Turà, Juan Garrido-Oliver, Laura Galian-Gay, Pere Lopez-Gutierrez, Alba Catalá-Santarrufina, José Ramón García-Garzón, Noemi Martinez-Esquerda, Javier Solsona, Ignacio Ferreira-González, Sergi Bellmunt-Montoya, Jose Rodriguez-Palomares and Andrea Guala
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(19), 10685; https://doi.org/10.3390/app151910685 - 3 Oct 2025
Viewed by 491
Abstract
18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) could be useful to assess inflammation of the aortic wall, a potential early indicator of aneurysm formation. Nonetheless, its current clinical assessment presents several limitations. The study aimed to develop and validate an innovative technique to obtain [...] Read more.
18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography (PET) could be useful to assess inflammation of the aortic wall, a potential early indicator of aneurysm formation. Nonetheless, its current clinical assessment presents several limitations. The study aimed to develop and validate an innovative technique to obtain thoraco-abdominal aortic wall PET uptake maps. PET/magnetic resonance (MR) was acquired in 82 patients with aortic aneurysms. The thoraco-abdominal aorta was segmented and expanded inward and outward (by 1 to 5 mm) and discretized into 80 standardized wall patches. Standard uptake values (SUV) were calculated for each patch and the thrombus. For inter-observer reproducibility, a second blinded observer analyzed 26 random patients. Validation against manual expert measurements was performed. The feasibility of the patch-wise PET analysis was 98.4%. Inter-observer Dice scores were 0.89 for lumen and 0.82 for thrombus segmentations. SUV mapping presented excellent reproducibility, modestly improving with wall thickness (ICC 0.950 to 0.966), while its agreement with expert measurements improved with thinner walls (ICC 0.848 to 0.755). An optimal balance between reproducibility and accuracy was obtained at 6 mm wall thickness. Reproducible and accurate thoraco-abdominal aortic wall 18F-FDG uptake maps can be obtained from PET/MR, potentially facilitating the exploration of local factors associated with vascular inflammation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomedical Imaging Technologies for Cardiovascular Disease, 4th Edition)
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16 pages, 6465 KB  
Article
The Feasibility of Combining 3D Cine bSSFP and 4D Flow MRI for the Assessment of Local Aortic Pulse Wave Velocity
by Renske Merton, Daan Bosshardt, Gustav J. Strijkers, Aart J. Nederveen, Eric M. Schrauben and Pim van Ooij
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(18), 10272; https://doi.org/10.3390/app151810272 - 21 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1029
Abstract
Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a key marker of aortic stiffness and cardiovascular risk, yet current methods typically offer only global or regional estimates and lack the possibility to measure local variations along the thoracic aorta. This study aimed to develop and evaluate [...] Read more.
Pulse wave velocity (PWV) is a key marker of aortic stiffness and cardiovascular risk, yet current methods typically offer only global or regional estimates and lack the possibility to measure local variations along the thoracic aorta. This study aimed to develop and evaluate a pipeline for assessing local aortic PWV using the flow–area (QA) method (PWVQA) by combining high-resolution 4D MRI techniques. A 3D cine balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) sequence was used to capture dynamic changes in aortic geometry, while 4D flow MRI measured time-resolved blood flow. The QA method was applied during the reflection-free early systolic phase. Scan–rescan reproducibility was assessed in six healthy volunteers, and feasibility was additionally explored in Marfan syndrome patients. The mean ± SD values of the Pearson correlation coefficients for per-slice maximum area, velocity, flow, and PWVQA were 0.99 ± 0.00, 0.82 ± 0.11, 0.96 ± 0.01, and 0.20 ± 0.35, respectively. The median (Q1–Q3) average PWVQA was 6.6 (5.4–9.4) m/s for scan 1 and 9.1 (6.7–11.3) m/s for scan 2 (p = 0.16) in healthy volunteers and 7.1 (6.9–8.0) m/s in Marfan patients. Combining 4D bSSFP and 4D flow MRI is technically feasible, but the derived PWVQA maps show high variability, particularly in the aortic root and descending aorta, requiring further optimization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomedical Imaging Technologies for Cardiovascular Disease, 4th Edition)
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Review

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26 pages, 873 KB  
Review
A Review on SPECT Myocardial Perfusion Imaging Attenuation Correction Using Deep Learning
by Ioannis D. Apostolopoulos, Nikolaοs Ι. Papandrianos, Elpiniki I. Papageorgiou and Dimitris J. Apostolopoulos
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(20), 11287; https://doi.org/10.3390/app152011287 - 21 Oct 2025
Viewed by 1454
Abstract
Attenuation correction (AC) is an essential process in Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), an established imaging method for assessing coronary artery disease. Conventional AC approaches typically require CT scans, supplementary hardware, intricate reconstruction, or segmentation processes, which can [...] Read more.
Attenuation correction (AC) is an essential process in Single Photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI), an established imaging method for assessing coronary artery disease. Conventional AC approaches typically require CT scans, supplementary hardware, intricate reconstruction, or segmentation processes, which can hinder their clinical applicability. Recently, deep learning (DL) techniques have emerged as alternatives, allowing for the direct learning of attenuation patterns from non-AC (NAC) imaging data. This review explores the existing literature on DL-based AC methods for SPECT MPI. We highlight high-performing models, including attention-gated U-Net conditional Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), and evaluate their validation methods. Although significant advancements have been achieved, numerous challenges persist, which are thoroughly discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomedical Imaging Technologies for Cardiovascular Disease, 4th Edition)
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16 pages, 1029 KB  
Review
Analysis of Hemodynamic Markers in Atrial Fibrillation Using Advanced Imaging Techniques
by Hadi Hassan, Shuvam Prasai, Omar Hassan, Fiza Rajput and Julio Garcia
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(19), 10679; https://doi.org/10.3390/app151910679 - 2 Oct 2025
Viewed by 948
Abstract
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent heart arrhythmia, characterized by an irregularly irregular rhythm and the absence of identifiable P waves on ECG. Given the loss of effective atrial contraction, AF carries a risk of serious complications. If untreated, AF can promote thrombogenesis, [...] Read more.
Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent heart arrhythmia, characterized by an irregularly irregular rhythm and the absence of identifiable P waves on ECG. Given the loss of effective atrial contraction, AF carries a risk of serious complications. If untreated, AF can promote thrombogenesis, leading to stroke, systemic embolism (e.g., limb or organ ischemia), and myocardial infarction. These serious complications highlight the importance of understanding AF and assessing stroke risk to guide optimal management of this chronic arrhythmia. Congruent with recent technological developments, advanced imaging has emerged as a modality to better understand AF. This review highlights advanced imaging techniques and their advantages, with a focus on 4D flow MRI, a novel modality that enables visualization of blood flow patterns in three dimensions and provides unique insights into cardiac hemodynamics. It also synthesizes the current literature on key hemodynamic markers identified by 4D flow MRI, including blood flow stasis, wall shear stress, and vorticity. Quantifying these markers has improved predictive accuracy of future stroke risk in AF patients, allowing clinicians to risk stratifying their patients and optimize management. Finally, the review discusses potential future markers that may further refine our understanding of AF and inform patient care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomedical Imaging Technologies for Cardiovascular Disease, 4th Edition)
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16 pages, 2363 KB  
Review
Colonic Ischemia Following Major Vascular Surgery: A Literature Review on Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Preventive Strategies
by Federica Ruggiero, Giulia Colonna, Maurizio Taurino, Elisa Romano and Pasqualino Sirignano
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(15), 8482; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15158482 - 30 Jul 2025
Viewed by 1723
Abstract
Colonic ischemia (CI) is a serious and potentially fatal complication after major abdominal vascular surgery. This literature review explores the pathogenesis, risk factors, diagnostic methods, and preventive strategies associated with CI, emphasizing the differences between emergency and elective treatments. Early diagnosis through clinical [...] Read more.
Colonic ischemia (CI) is a serious and potentially fatal complication after major abdominal vascular surgery. This literature review explores the pathogenesis, risk factors, diagnostic methods, and preventive strategies associated with CI, emphasizing the differences between emergency and elective treatments. Early diagnosis through clinical signs and instrumental diagnostics, such as sigmoidoscopy and computed tomography, is crucial. Preventive measures, including preoperative evaluation and perioperative management, are emphasized to reduce the incidence of CI. The results of different studies suggest that endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR), both emergency and elective, has lower risks of ischemic complications than open surgical repair (OSR), as well as better survival for patients. Further research and standardized clinical guidelines are needed to improve patient outcomes and minimize CI severity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Biomedical Imaging Technologies for Cardiovascular Disease, 4th Edition)
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