Single-click cardiac MRI in patients with Congenital Heart Disease

• Applicant: Dr. Kenan Kaya
• Subject Area: Radiology
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 576493546

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) represents an essential non-invasive diagnostic tool, allowing for comprehensive evaluation of cardiac anatomy, ventricular function, and myocardial tissue characterization, without the risks associated with ionizing radiation. Despite its established diagnostic value and clinical utility, routine adoption of CMR in clinical practice remains limited, primarily due to the inherent complexity and extensive duration of traditional imaging protocols. These conventional protocols depend heavily on expert-defined slice positioning, continuous electrocardiographic (ECG) gating, and repeated patient breath-holds, all of which significantly impact clinical workflow efficiency and pose challenges to patient compliance. Such practical limitations become particularly burdensome for patients with cardiovascular disease, who frequently require repeated imaging assessments for lifelong disease monitoring, treatment guidance, and assessment of disease progression. Consequently, there is an urgent need for simplified, operator-independent imaging methodologies that could facilitate broader clinical use, improve patient compliance, and alleviate healthcare system resources. To address this critical need, an innovative technique known as the "Free-Running Framework" (FRF) has been developed. The method allows continuous, free-breathing cardiac imaging in three dimensions without reliance on ECG triggering. FRF employs a self-navigated acquisition strategy coupled with advanced motion-resolved reconstruction algorithms, thus eliminating manual slice planning and significantly reducing dependency on operator expertise and patient cooperation. The objective of this study is to comprehensively evaluate the clinical feasibility, diagnostic quality, and operational efficiency of the FRF approach for routine clinical application in cardiovascular disease patients, especially in patients with congenital heart disease. By simplifying and shortening the CMR examination process without compromising diagnostic accuracy, the FRF methodology holds significant promise for expanding the accessibility, reproducibility, and patient acceptability of cardiac imaging across diverse clinical environments.

• DFG Programme: Fellowship
• International Connection: USA
• Host: Professor Dr. Tim Leiner, Ph.D.