HepaFat-AI
Automated MRI Measurement Of Liver Fat
HepaFat-AI is a non-invasive MRI-based technique designed to automatically analyse MRI datasets to generate an estimate of the patient’s liver fat. These images, acquirable on most makes and models of 1.5 and 3 Tesla MRI machines, are obtained through a unique and standardised scanning sequence to ensure results are accurate, reliable, and reproducible over time and between hospitals and the various makes and models of MRI scanners.
Due to the quality-controlled, standardised nature of the test, a patient may have a HepaFat-AI scan at any HepaFat-AI verified MRI centre, anywhere in the world, and receive reproducible, and reliable results.
HepaFat-AI received 510(k) clearance from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in December 2020. The FDA has cleared HepaFat-AI with the following indications:
- Assess the volumetric liver fat fraction, proton density fat fraction and steatosis grade in individuals with confirmed or suspected fatty liver disease.
When interpreted by a trained physician, the HepaFat-AI results can be used to:
- Monitor liver fat content in patients undergoing weight loss management; and can be used to
- Aid in the assessment and screening of living donors for liver transplant.
HepaFat-AI can be deployed either in the cloud or on premises and can be integrated directly into radiology workflows. For current availability, please contact us directly.
Comprehensive all-in-one Reporting
HepaFat-AI is a fully automated and comprehensive all-in-one liver fat solution that reports the following:
- VLFF – (Volumetric Liver Fat Fraction)
- PDFF – (Proton Density Fat Fraction)
- Steatosis Grade
In the event that extremely high liver fat content is detected, the HepaFat AI analysis process will generate a different report with a warning message that indicates the value is outside the validated calibration range and that the associated uncertainty makes a precise estimate too unreliable for reporting.
In the event that high liver iron concentration is suspected, or that there is possible lung crest present due to incorrect slice position, a warning is given and no result will be shown on the generated HepaFat-AI report.
Key HepaFat-AI Features
- An accurate and validated MRI-based measurement of liver fat
- International regulatory clearance (USA - FDA)
- Efficient workflow integration with an automated solution in real-time
- Non-invasive and contrast free with a rapid scan time of only two minutes in a single breath hold
- Comprehensive all-in-one reporting (VLFF, PDFF, and Steatosis Grade)
- Accurate, reliable and reproducible across MRI centres and scanner models
- Ideally suited for use in multi-center clinical trials
- No need for expensive new software or hardware
- Suitable for 1.5 and 3 Tesla MRI scanners
Why Use HepaFat-AI to Measure Liver Fat
HepaFat-AI is quick, easy and painless, with an MRI scan time of only two minutes. HepaFat-AI does not require any contrast agents and being MRI based there is no risk from ionising radiation. Due to the automated nature of the technology, HepaFat-AI can also return a patient report in real-time back to the clinician.
Histopathological assessment of a patient’s liver fat levels from a liver biopsy is commonly considered the gold standard for clinical assessment of liver fat. However, it is subjective, has a poor reproducibility and significant sampling error and suffers from the risks associated with an invasive procedure.
Ultrasound, while widely available, only has a sensitivity of approximately 70% and this is further reduced in obese patients. It is additionally hampered by factors such as fibrosis, edema and extrahepatic adipose tissue.
CT is also a widely available imaging modality that evaluates hepatic steatosis indirectly based on hepatic x-ray attenuation. Several factors other than fat (e.g. iron, copper, glycogen, fibrosis, edema, ingestion of drugs such as amiodarone and gold) affect CT attenuation values, resulting in unavoidable errors in fat quantification and low sensitivity for mild-moderate steatosis. Moreover, as CT relies on ionizing radiation, it is not suitable for use in children and for longitudinal monitoring of adults with liver fat. MR has also been used for quantitative assessment of fat and is widely accepted as superior compared to ultrasound and CT.
HepaFat-AI is used in conjunction with a specific MRI data acquisition protocol that is a variation of the Dixon Method. Many MR fat quantification methods such as Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) and other Dixon based imaging methods report the fat:water proton ratio. This ratio is not directly comparable to a fat measurement from a liver biopsy specimen as it neither represents the percentage of parenchyma involved with fat nor the volume fraction of fat in the biopsy. Resonance Health has addressed this issue with HepaFat-AI.
Potential Clinical Applications
Gastroenterology and Hepatology Applications
- Initial workup for Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) diagnosis and for education and counselling of metabolic syndrome patients.
- Liver fat analysis on patients already being screened or monitored for fibrosis or cirrhosis. Recent research indicates that patients with NAFLD and Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis (NASH) can develop liver cancer without progressing through cirrhosis and that higher liver fat in NAFLD is associated with fibrosis progression.
- Screening and monitoring of participants for early-phase pharmaceutical trials of compounds to treat NASH or diabetes.
Surgical Applications
- Pre and post-operative analysis of bariatric patients to track clinical outcomes. Bariatric patients post-surgery can see a dramatic improvement in liver fat regardless of their starting anthropometrics (e.g. weight, BMI,) or amount of weight loss following surgery.
- A high level of liver fat may have a detrimental outcome on liver surgery. A HepaFat-Scan of patients with liver disease or liver cancer can provide guidance with treatment planning. A quantitative measurement of liver fat may help to determine how much liver can be safely resected or to determine whether to use a surgical or non-surgical treatment.
- Screening for suitability of living donors for liver transplants by assisting in determining the viability of the donor liver.
Applications by Primary Care Physicians
- HepaFat-Scan may be useful to screen patients prior to prescribing known hepatotoxic medications.
- Monitoring of patients undergoing an intervention (e.g. limiting alcohol consumption or weight loss).
- Monitoring of patients prescribed medications known to induce steatosis.
How does HepaFat-AI work?
HepaFat AI is based on the Dixon principle of measuring the in-phase and out-of-phase MRI signal in liver tissue. Measurements are achieved through the acquisition of a series of spoiled gradient recalled echo images at three specific echo times.
The process from data upload to report generation takes under 60 seconds for completion. HepaFat AI has been extensively validated to ensure the results are accurate and reproducible.
HepaFat-AI via Resonance Health
HepaFat-AI is a stand-alone software application that automatically analyses MRI (DICOM) images that are uploaded via the Resonance Health web portal. These images, acquirable on most makes and models of 1.5 and 3 Tesla MRI machines, are obtained through a unique and standardised scanning sequence to ensure results are accurate, reliable, and reproducible over time and between hospitals and the various makes and models of MRI scanners.
The entire HepaFat-AI analysis process is completely automated. The HepaFat-AI technology will initially inspect all images to ensure that they have been acquired with the correct protocol. If errors are detected in the method of data acquisition, HepaFat-AI will not analyse the data but will indicate the corrective steps that need to be taken to acquire compliant images. Uploading and analysis of data typically takes about 30 seconds.
Due to the quality-controlled, standardised nature of the test, a patient may have HepaFat-AI analysis at any HepaFat-verified MRI centre, anywhere in the world.
HepaFat-AI Resources
Click the link(s) below to access our resources. Need something else? Please contact our team at info@resonancehealth.com for further information.