Better MRI Guidance for Children's Heart Procedures
Improved MRI guidance of pediatric catheterization via autonomous multi-beat data synthesis
This project aims to make MRI images clearer during heart catheterization procedures for children, offering a safer alternative to X-rays.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11135321 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Heart catheterization is a way to check and fix heart problems without major surgery, but it usually uses X-rays, which expose children to radiation and don't show soft tissues very well. MRI is a safer option because it doesn't use radiation and provides better views of soft tissues. However, current real-time MRI images during these procedures can be blurry. Our goal is to develop new technology that combines information from multiple heartbeats to create much clearer, real-time MRI images, making these important procedures safer and more effective for young patients.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This research is most relevant for children, particularly those aged 0-11 years, who need heart catheterization procedures for conditions like vascular stenosis or arrhythmias.
Not a fit: Patients who do not require heart catheterization or are not within the pediatric age range would not directly benefit from this specific advancement.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to safer and more precise heart catheterization procedures for children by reducing radiation exposure and improving image clarity.
How similar studies have performed: While MRI has guided some cardiac interventions in the past, improving real-time image quality during these procedures remains a significant challenge that this project aims to address with a novel approach.
Where this research is happening
La Jolla, United States
- University of California, San Diego — La Jolla, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Contijoch, Francisco J — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Contijoch, Francisco J
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.