Free‑breathing MRI to detect pulmonary hypertension in one scan
Novel Computational Framework for Free-Breathing & Ungated Dynamic MRI
This project aims to use a new MRI method so people can get heart and lung information in a single, free‑breathing scan to help diagnose pulmonary hypertension.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Virginia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Charlottesville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11177940 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, the team is developing an MRI protocol you can tolerate without holding your breath that images both your heart and lungs in one session. The method uses a new deep‑learning based generative framework (g‑SToRM) to reconstruct moving images from free‑breathing, ungated MRI data. Researchers will compare the new scans and quantitative measurements to current breath‑held MRI and CT protocols to see how well they detect pulmonary hypertension. If promising, the quantitative metrics will be examined for their ability to predict pulmonary hypertension.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with symptoms or clinical concern for pulmonary hypertension (for example unexplained shortness of breath, exercise intolerance, or abnormal screening tests) who can undergo MRI.
Not a fit: People who cannot have MRI (for example certain implanted devices, severe claustrophobia), those needing immediate invasive testing, or patients already definitively diagnosed and treated may not benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make diagnosing pulmonary hypertension faster and simpler by combining cardiac and lung imaging into a single noninvasive MRI visit, potentially reducing extra tests and delays.
How similar studies have performed: Related MRI reconstruction methods (including the original SToRM approach) have shown promise for cardiac imaging, but applying a generative g‑SToRM approach to free‑breathing combined heart‑lung imaging for pulmonary hypertension is a newer application.
Where this research is happening
Charlottesville, United States
- University of Virginia — Charlottesville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jacob, Mathews — University of Virginia
- Study coordinator: Jacob, Mathews
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.