We propose a new method to guide interventional cardiac procedures using magnetic resonance imaging. Currently, these procedures
are performed under x-ray fluoroscopic guidance. MRI is an attractive alternative to x-ray fluoroscopy for guidance of interventional
procedures due to the ability to produce 3D images, its excellent soft-tissue contrast and the lack of ionizing radiation. Recently,
developments have been made to produce real-time 2D and small-volume 3D MR images that can be used to track endo-vascular
devices. However, long acquisition times limit the ability to obtain large-field-of view, high-resolution 3D images in real time. Our
method relies on the acquisition of high-quality, large-field of view 3D images of the heart prior to the procedure, then acquiring
lower-quality 3D data in real-time during the procedure. The low-quality real-time data are registered to the high-quality image to
determine the transformation required to orient the pre-procedural image in the current patient coordinate system. This transformation
enables the presentation of a high-quality image to the interventionalist at all times during the procedure. We have investigated
different techniques to register the two data sets rapidly and present results obtained using a motion phantom capable of undergoing
rotation and translation.
Supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.