2025 WCHRI Summer Student

How to shorten lengthy MRI scans for children with heart disease

Ramesh Mahdavifar’s research focused on a new way to shorten MRI scans for children with congenital heart disease while maintaining image accuracy.

The right ventricle of the heart, which needs to be carefully assessed for diagnosis and treatment, generally requires at least 45 minutes to scan with current methods. Using advanced machine learning models, Mahdavifar systematically removed images — or slices — from an existing MRI to determine how many are essential to accurately measure heart volume and function.

Her work aimed to reduce scan times from 45 to as little as 15 minutes, which is especially important for children who have difficulty sitting still for long periods.

“One of the most unexpected aspects of my research this summer was realizing the complexity of cardiac MRI analysis. I was fascinated by the ability to visualize the heart in motion, watching systole and diastole in real time along with the valves and blood flow, bringing concepts from my cardiology block to life in a very tangible way.”

Goals:

• Identify the minimum number of images needed for accurate right ventricle volume and function assessment.
• Refine existing MRI protocols to significantly reduce scan times.
• Assess the impact of streamlined protocols on the efficiency and accessibility of pediatric cardiac imaging.

Potential impact: By reducing MRI scan times, this research could significantly reduce scan times, reduce the need for anesthesia, shorten wait times for families and improve the overall efficiency of the health-care system.

Supervisor: Michelle Noga, professor, Department of Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging

Funder: Stollery Children’s Hospital Foundation

Interested in doing research to improve the health of women and/or children? Read more about WCHRI’s training awards for students at all levels and generous grants for researchers.