{
  "abstract": "Introduction There is a rising demand for cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) worldwide, and growing evidence for its use across a range of cardiovascular diseases. There are many benefits to shorter scan times including improved patient experience, as well as efficiency of a CMR service.One way to improve efficiency is to optimise how many images are required to answer clinical questions. Measurement of thoracic aortic dimensions is a common CMR indication. This service development project aimed to optimise our current ‘aorta’ protocol (which includes aortic valve [AV] and left ventricle[LV] assessment, using a 60-minute slot) to significantly reduce scanning and reporting times.Methods Demographics and imaging data were collected retrospectively through electronic records for patients referred at the Yorkshire Heart Centre for CMR over two periods (08-10/2024 and 09-11/2025). Indications for CMR were recorded, as well as time slot given for the scan, and scan duration.In March 2025 a new study protocol was designed: ‘aorta only’, which assessed the thoracic aorta without AV or LV assessment (figure 1). A new requesting template was created giving clinicians to option to choose an ‘aorta only’ scan based on clinical indication. Indications for ‘aorta only’ scans are listed in figure-1, and were intended to be given a 30 minute slot, increasing scanning capacity.Results The 2024 audit cycle showed 52 aorta scans were requested in a 13-week period. Based on indication, 81% of the scans could have been ‘aorta only’ scans (table-1). The commonest indication was aortic dilatation surveillance: 32(62%). All scans were given 60 minute slots, and scans took 37(32,42) minutes.The 2025 audit cycle showed 68 aorta scans were requested in a 13 week period. The indications were similar, with 58(71%) suitable to be ‘aorta only’ scans based on indication (table 1). Of the 68 scans, 22 were protocolled as ‘aorta only’ scans, and of those 13 patients were scanned using strictly the ‘aorta only’ protocol (some had additional images with no reason given).Of scans not protocolled as ‘aorta only’, an additional 32 scans could have used the shorter template, either because the referrer asked for the ‘aorta only’ protocol (but a full protocol was performed instead), or old referral templates were used, where ‘aorta only’ is not specified. Where ‘aorta only’ templates were used scan time was 21(17,27) minutes. This is significantly shorter than using the full aorta template (P=<0.0001).Conclusion Using the ‘aorta only’ protocol saved 6.5 hours over the 13-week audit period. Twenty-five of the 46 ‘full aorta’ scans could have used the shorter template. This means 47 of the 68 scans in this 13-week period could have been ‘aorta only’.With appropriate protocolling and booking, there is potential to save 23.5 hours of scanner time over a 13-week period. This is significant capacity which can improve waiting times, offering a better service for patients.Abstract 249 Figure 1Summary of ‘Full aorta’ and ‘Aorta only’ protocols, with representative images and cine imagingAbstract 249 Table 1Summary of 2024 and 2020 audit findings. *Comparing short protocol in 2020, to full protocol in 20242024 Auditn=522020 Auditn=68P valueAge54 (39, 64)Range: 19-7261 (52, 70)Range: 16-85-Reason for referral *Aortic dilatation (surveillance and formal assessment)*At risk of aortopathy *Post-aortic surgery (+/- AVR) Aortic valve assessment LV assessment (with aortic assessment) *Scans where could do ‘Aorta only’32 (62%)3 (6%)7 (13%)8 (15%)2 (4%)42 (81%)27 (40%)8 (12%)15 (22%)12 (18%)6 (9%)50 (74%)Vetted as ‘aorta only’0 (0%)22 (32%)2020 Audit only:Of scans protocolled as full aorta (n=46), could they have been aorta only? Yes – referrer asked for short protocol Yes – referral on old template (‘aorta only’ not option for referrer) No – referrer asked for full, or needed full---15 (33%)10 (22%)21 (46%)-Time slot given: 60 minutes 30 minutes52 (100%)0 (0%)55 (81%)13 (19%)-Scan length (minutes) Full aorta ‘Aorta only’37 (32, 42)-37 (34, 42)21 (17, 27)0.35<0.0001*Time saved: Over 13 week audit period Per week--6.5 hours0.5 hoursPotential scanner time saved if all appropriate scans scanned as ‘aorta only’ Over 13 week audit period Per week21 hours1.6 hours23.5 hours1.8 hours",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Henry Procter"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Osca Tan"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Lizette Cash"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom",
        "Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Marilena Giannoudi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Sindhoora Kotha"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Nicholas Jex"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Ananth Kidambi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Anshu Sengupta"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Leeds, United Kingdom",
        "Leeds Institute of Cardiovascular and Metabolic Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Sven Plein"
    }
  ],
  "title": "249 The utility of an ‘aorta only’ protocol to increase cardiac MRI capacity at the yorkshire heart centre",
  "uid": "804c4914-1478-578b-910b-2abc99a0c83b"
}