The research programme is focussed on the development of safe technology for carrying out MRI guided cardiac catheterisation. Cardiac catheterisation in the MR environment, sometimes in combination with x-ray in the room, allows for reduction or elimination of an unwanted x-ray radiation dose to the patient and staff. It also allows for better characterisation of physiology and pathology, allowing simultaneous measurements of invasive pressure. For example, blood flow or changes in ventricular volumes can be measured accurately. Finally, it allows for much clearer catheterisation of the target substrate during cardiac catheterisation interventions.
The main areas of research are:
- Diagnostic MR cardiac catheterisation of patients with congenital heart disease or pulmonary hypertension for better understanding of pathways physiology
- MR guided interventions for congenital and structural heart disease
- MR guided interventions for ablation of cardiac arrhythmias