Funding outcome

Congenital heart disease (CHD) affects approximately 1% of newborns globally, requiring early and often complex medical interventions. Accurate imaging of the right ventricle's (RV) size and function is critical for diagnosis and management of pediatric patients. The RV has three parts- an inlet (tricuspid valve), a body, and an outlet (outflow tract and pulmonary valve)- that need to be carefully assessed to guide treatment for CHD. Current imaging methods use Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), such as short-axis and transverse slices, taking a minimum of 45 minutes to complete. These techniques and prolonged scans are difficult for children to sit through and contribute to long waiting times, which can stretch to over 10 months for some families. The goal of this project is to identify the minimum number of images (or 'slices') needed for accurate imaging to significantly reduce scan times while maintaining diagnostic quality. Using a combination of imaging views- 4-chamber, 2-chamber, outlet (RV outflow tract + pulmonary valve), and in-and-out (tricuspid and pulmonary valves)- we will contour the RV in detail. These contours will then be combined into a 3D mesh to reconstruct the RV's volume. By systematically removing slices, the project will determine how many are essential for accurate volume and functional assessment. Streamlining the process can greatly benefit pediatric patients, who often require frequent imaging for conditions such as RV dilation, an indicator for valve replacement. Reducing scan times from 40 minutes to as little as 15 minutes would make imaging more accessible for both patients and healthcare systems. This project aims to refine MRI protocols, improving efficiency and access to care while contributing to advancements in pediatric cardiac imaging.