Research & Initiatives
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Our research revolves around the shortening and simplifying of CMR image capture and analysis. To shorten CMR image capture, we collaborate with leading MR physics centers around the world including the University of Lausanne, Cedars Sinai hospital and Kings College in London. These centers have designed CMR image capture methods that are fast and easy for both the technologist and the patient. We test the utility of these methods in a real-world clinical setting. To simplify CMR image analysis, we work with leading industry partners, Circle Cardiovascular Imaging and General Electric Healthcare, to automate repetitive processes such as image segmentation. Researchers in our group have the opportunity to develop automated algorithms with support from these industry experts. For more information about this research, view the Tissue Team page.
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For over 10 years, research teams led by Dr Friedrich have been developing, testing, and validating a CMR method that utilizes the blood oxygen level dependent effects of MRI: Oxygen Sensitive CMR. It has been validated in animal models, where it has been shown to be safe, feasible, and accurate at identifying several different pathophysiologic states in patients (CAD, Heart Failure, Obstructive Sleep Apnea) and in healthy volunteers. Our flagship international trial (B-MORE) with 7 internationals sites is currently in the recruitment phase after a successful pilot trial at the MUHC. For more information about this research, view the Air Team page.
Our group also has a strong research interest in the interactions between the vasculature in the heart and the brain, and how these interactions may impact disease progression in both vascular beds. This line of research obtains OS-CMR and breathing maneuver images from the heart (CMR) and brain (fMRI) in the same scanning session and moves into a systems approach to vasculature while acknowledging the interplay between different organs of the body. The three main pathophysiologic states we are currently exploring are heart failure, general anxiety disorder, and congenital heart disease