Human In Vivo Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 7 T: Feasibility, Applications, and Current Limitations—A Systematic Review

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging at 7 Tesla provides a substantially higher intrinsic signal-to-noise ratio compared with conventional 1.5 T and 3 T systems, potentially enabling higher spatial resolution, improved tissue contrast, and advanced metabolic imaging. However, clinical translation remains limited by technical challenges associated with ultra-high-field operation. This systematic review aimed to synthesize current human in vivo evidence on the feasibility, applications, and methodological limitations of 7-T cardiovascular MRI. <b>Methods:</b> A PRISMA-guided systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus was conducted from database inception through January 2025. Studies reporting human in vivo cardiovascular MRI at 7 Tesla were included. Data regarding study design, sample characteristics, imaging applications, feasibility, quantitative findings, and reported limitations were extracted and qualitatively synthesized. <b>Results:</b> Sixty-five studies met inclusion criteria, predominantly small prospective cohorts (mean sample size = 13), largely involving healthy volunteers. Across diverse applications-including coronary MR angiography, cine imaging, valvular assessment, vascular imaging, flow quantification, myocardial tissue characterization, and multinuclear (<sup>31</sup>P, <sup>23</sup>Na, <sup>39</sup>K) imaging-7-T CMR was consistently feasible and capable of producing high-quality images. Quantitative ventricular and vascular measurements were generally concordant with lower field strengths. Incremental benefits were most apparent in high-resolution structural imaging and metabolic applications, whereas routine functional and flow assessments showed limited additional advantages. No serious adverse events were reported. <b>Conclusions:</b> Human cardiovascular MRI at 7 Tesla represents a technically feasible research and early translational platform with selective advantages over established field strengths. Further advances in radiofrequency technology, protocol harmonization, and larger disease-focused studies are required to clarify its potential clinical role.

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Journal
Diagnostics
Published
2026-03-22
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics16060937
Primary Topic
Advanced MRI Techniques and Applications
Type
article
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article

Human In Vivo Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 7 T: Feasibility, Applications, and Current Limitations—A Systematic Review

Giulia D’Acunto, Erica Maffei, Maciej Węglarz, Arosh S. Perera Molligoda Arachchige et al.
Diagnostics
Advanced MRI Techniques and Applications
article

Human In Vivo Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging at 7 T: Feasibility, Applications, and Current Limitations—A Systematic Review

Giulia D’Acunto, Erica Maffei, Maciej Węglarz, Arosh S. Perera Molligoda Arachchige, Filippo Cademartiri, Oana-Georgiana Voicu, Ayça Zal, Gabriel Amorim Moreira Alves
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging at 7 Tesla provides a substantially higher intrinsic signal-to-noise ratio compared with conventional 1.5 T and 3 T systems, potentially enabling higher spatial resolution, improved tissue contrast, and advanced metabolic imaging. However, clinical translation remains limited by technical challenges associated with ultra-high-field operation. This systematic review aimed to synthesize current human in vivo evidence on the feasibility, applications, and methodological limitations of 7-T cardiovascular MRI. <b>Methods:</b> A PRISMA-guided systematic search of PubMed, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and Scopus was conducted from database inception through January 2025. Studies reporting human in vivo cardiovascular MRI at 7 Tesla were included. Data regarding study design, sample characteristics, imaging applications, feasibility, quantitative findings, and reported limitations were extracted and qualitatively synthesized. <b>Results:</b> Sixty-five studies met inclusion criteria, predominantly small prospective cohorts (mean sample size = 13), largely involving healthy volunteers. Across diverse applications-including coronary MR angiography, cine imaging, valvular assessment, vascular imaging, flow quantification, myocardial tissue characterization, and multinuclear (<sup>31</sup>P, <sup>23</sup>Na, <sup>39</sup>K) imaging-7-T CMR was consistently feasible and capable of producing high-quality images. Quantitative ventricular and vascular measurements were generally concordant with lower field strengths. Incremental benefits were most apparent in high-resolution structural imaging and metabolic applications, whereas routine functional and flow assessments showed limited additional advantages. No serious adverse events were reported. <b>Conclusions:</b> Human cardiovascular MRI at 7 Tesla represents a technically feasible research and early translational platform with selective advantages over established field strengths. Further advances in radiofrequency technology, protocol harmonization, and larger disease-focused studies are required to clarify its potential clinical role.

DiagnosticsVol. 16(6)
Humanitas University (IT), University of Milan (IT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 13%
Advanced MRI Techniques and Applications
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