Towards comprehensive and fast real-time cardiac MRI

The heart is a complex organ that can fail due to various internal and external factors. When these factors reduce the heart's ability to maintain adequate cardiac output and homeostasis, heart failure occurs. This condition is classified into three types: heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF; LVEF < 40%), heart failure with mid-range ejection fraction (HFmEF; LVEF 40-49%), and heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF; LVEF ≥ 50%). HFpEF now accounts for more than 50% of heart failure cases, especially in older adults with obesity, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. Due to symptom overlap with these comorbidities, many HFpEF cases remain undiagnosed. Despite advances in treatment, HFpEF outcomes have not significantly improved, highlighting the need for better diagnostic tools for early detection.
This PhD dissertation, titled ‘Towards Comprehensive and Fast Real-Time Cardiac MR,’ focuses on enhancing the early detection of HFpEF using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). The first part of this research involves population-based studies that utilize MRI measurements to investigate the relationships between metabolic health, physical activity, and cardiac function, emphasizing the need for fast and accessible MRI protocols. The second part explores advanced MRI techniques to reduce scan times. Several strategies can accelerate MRI scans, such as reducing sampled data and using smaller antennas to receive data more efficiently. I developed a new MRI antenna that combines these strategies, reducing scan time by up to threefold. This innovation allows for real-time imaging during rest and exercise, enabling free-breathing and significantly improving patient comfort and diagnostic accuracy.