Creating 3D models to improve heart surgery for children with severe congenital heart disease
Official title: Simulating Cardiac Surgery for Children with Severe Congenital Heart Disease
Funded at West Virginia University · NIH-11180747 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is all about helping kids with serious heart problems by using special 3D models of their hearts, so doctors can plan the best surgery for each child and make sure they have the best chance of a successful recovery.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | West Virginia University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Morgantown, United States) |
| Project start | January 3, 2020 |
| Project end | November 30, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $122,328 |
| NIH project number | 7R01HL149807-06 |
| Project ID | NIH-11180747 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children diagnosed with single ventricle heart disease who require surgical intervention.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with congenital heart disease who do not have single ventricle heart disease or those who are not candidates for surgical procedures may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on improving surgical outcomes for children with severe congenital heart disease, particularly those with single ventricle heart disease. By developing a method to create detailed 3D models of the heart using advanced imaging techniques, the research aims to better understand the complex anatomy and blood flow in these patients. The 3D models will allow surgeons to simulate various surgical options and select the most effective approach tailored to each child's unique condition. This innovative approach seeks to enhance decision-making and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective surgical interventions and improved survival rates for children with severe congenital heart disease.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results using 3D modeling techniques in surgical planning, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
West Virginia University
Morgantown, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hedjazi Moghari, Mehdi — West Virginia University
- Study coordinator: Hedjazi Moghari, Mehdi
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Multimodal AI to improve genetic diagnosis of congenital heart disease
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-
Multimodal AI to improve genetic diagnosis of congenital heart disease
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-
Brain injury risk in preterm babies with heart disease and how surgery choices affect their brains
This project follows newborns with congenital heart disease born early to understand how their brains are affected and how different surgical approaches might influence outcomes.
-
Newborn brain injury risk during birth transition in babies with congenital heart defects
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Heart development study using patient stem cells to understand NOTCH1 and congenital heart disease
A study using patient-derived stem cells and genome editing to learn how NOTCH1 affects early heart development and congenital heart defects in humans.
-
AI-powered echocardiography to spot common heart defects in newborns
A new AI tool analyzes infant heart ultrasound images to help non-specialist health workers identify five common, treatable heart defects early.
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.