UK Biobank is a prospective cohort study with 500,000 participants aged 40 to 69. Recently an enhanced imaging
study received funding. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) will be part of a multi-organ, multi-modality
imaging visit in 3
–
4 dedicated UK Biobank imaging centres that will acquire and store imaging data from 100,000
participants (subject to successful piloting). In each of UK Biobank
’
s dedicated bespoke imaging centres, it is
proposed that 15
–
20 participants will undergo a 2 to 3 hour visit per day, seven days a week over a period of
5
–
6 years. The imaging modalities will include brain MRI at 3 Tesla, CMR and abdominal MRI at 1.5 Tesla, carotid
ultrasound and DEXA scans using carefully selected protocols. We reviewed the rationale, challenges and proposed
approaches for concise phenotyping using CMR on such a large scale. Here, we discuss the benefits of this imaging
study and review existing and planned population based cardiovascular imaging in prospective cohort studies. We
will evaluate the CMR protocol, feasibility, process optimisation and costs. Procedures for incidental findings, quality
control and data processing and analysis are also presented. As is the case for all other data in the UK Biobank
resource, this database of images and related information will be made available through UK Biobank
’
s Access
Procedures to researchers (irrespective of their country of origin and whether they are academic or commercial)
for health-related research that is in the public interest.