Researchers at the University of East Anglia have developed new technology to diagnose heart failure in record time.

Cutting-edge technology uses Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to create detailed 4D flow images of the heart. However, unlike standard MRI scans, which can take up to 20 minutes or more, the new 4D Cardiac MRI only takes 8 minutes.

The results provide an accurate picture of heart valves and blood flow through the heart, helping doctors decide on the best treatment for their patients. Cardiac patients at Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) are the first to test this new device. And the team hope their work will revolutionize the diagnosis of heart failure, helping hospitals and patients around the world. 

“Heart failure is a dangerous condition caused by increased pressure in the heart,” said Dr. The best way to diagnose heart failure is by testing, which is not preferred due to its risk. . “An ultrasound of the heart, called echocardiography, is traditionally used to measure peak blood flow through the mitral valve of the heart. However, this method is unreliable. “We worked on an advanced method of intracardiac flow assessment, called 4D flow MRI.

"In 4D flow MRI, we can see flow in three directions, or four dimensions, over time."

Hosamadin Assadi, a PhD student at UEA Norwich School of Medicine, said: But we know that 4D flow MRI takes about 20 minutes and patients don't like long MRI.

“So we worked with General Electrics Healthcare to study the reliability of a new technology called Kat-ARC, which uses an ultra-fast method to measure cardiac output. "We found this cut the scanning time in half and took about eight minutes.

"We have also shown that this non-invasive method can accurately measure and measure peak arterial pressure of the heart."

The team tested the new technology on 50 patients from Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals and Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Sheffield. The new Kat-ARC 4D cardiac flow MRI is used to assess patients with suspected heart failure.

Dr. Garg said: “This technology has revolutionized the way we measure heart disease and our studies have cut exam times in half, paving the way for ultra-fast 4D flow MRIs. “It will help hospitals and patients around the world,” he added.

Professor Erika Denton, Chief Medical Officer of NNUH, said: “NNUH is proud to be involved in new research that can improve the diagnosis and treatment of cardiac patients.

This project is funded by the Wellcom Trust. NNUH, Université de Sheffield, Sheffield Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Université de Dundee, GE Healthcare (Lub Tebchaws Yelemees), Pie Medical Imaging (Pays-Bas), National Heart Center thiab Duke-NUS Medical School (ob leeg Singapour).