RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Artificial Intelligence Delivered Cardiac Magnetic Resonance - Prospective Validation

This study is looking at how to improve heart scans, called Cardiac MRI (CMR). These scans give doctors detailed pictures of the heart, but they need highly skilled staff to position the camera correctly for each picture. This can lead to long waiting times for patients. Researchers believe they can use artificial intelligence (AI) to automatically position the camera. This would free up expert staff to focus on more complex tasks, making scans quicker and more widely available. The study will compare scans done by AI with those done by human experts to see if AI can match or even improve on current methods.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Imperial College London

Enrolment target

150

Start

01 May 2026

Estimated completion

01 Dec 2027

Cardiovascular Diseases Healthy Volunteers

What is this study about?

Heart scans called Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging, or CMR, are very good at showing doctors what's happening inside your heart. They create detailed pictures that can help understand different heart conditions. However, getting these scans can sometimes take a long time because a specialist, called a cardiac radiographer, needs to carefully position the scanner for each part of your heart they want to photograph. This careful positioning is important to get clear, useful images.

Researchers are now exploring a new way to make these scans quicker and easier to get. They are using 'artificial intelligence' (AI) – which is basically a smart computer program – to see if it can automatically position the scanner for these heart pictures. The idea is that if AI can do this job well, then the expert radiographers can spend their time on more difficult parts of the scan, and more people might be able to get their scans sooner.

In this study, they will be testing this AI technology. Patients who are already having a routine heart scan will also have an extra set of pictures taken using the AI-guided method. The study will then compare how good and how fast the AI-guided pictures are compared to the pictures taken by the expert radiographers. The main goal is to see if AI can help make these important heart scans more accessible and efficient for everyone.

Key takeaways

This study is testing if AI can help with heart scans.
It compares AI-guided scans with scans done by human experts.
The aim is to make heart scans quicker and more accessible.
Participation involves having extra pictures taken during your planned heart scan.
Your involvement helps improve future heart care for others.

Who may be eligible?

To take part in this study, you need to be an adult, aged 18 years or older. Both men and women can join.

However, there are a few reasons why someone might not be able to participate. If you are under 18 or if you are pregnant, you won't be able to join this particular study. This is usually to ensure the safety and comfort of everyone involved and to make sure the study results are clear and consistent.

Quick self-check

Are you 18 years old or older?
Are you having a clinical heart MRI (CMR) scan?
Are you not pregnant?
Are you interested in helping medical research?

This is a guide only — the research team will confirm whether you can take part.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you will be having a heart scan (CMR) just like you would normally. The difference is that during your scan, in addition to the standard pictures taken by the expert staff, an extra set of pictures will be taken. These extra pictures will be guided by the new AI technology.

There are no extra visits or special assessments involved beyond your usual scan appointment. You won't need to take any new medication or have any follow-up visits specifically for the study. The total duration of your involvement will just be during your single heart scan appointment, which might be slightly longer than a usual scan to allow for the extra pictures. The researchers will then compare the pictures taken by human experts with those taken using the AI system within your single visit.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study could help improve how heart scans are done in the future, potentially making them faster and more widely available for everyone. While there are no direct health benefits to you personally, your contribution will be very valuable to medical research. The risks involved are minimal, as you will be having an MRI scan you were already scheduled for, with only a short extension to allow for the AI-guided pictures. You always have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual medical care.

Locations (1)

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
London, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is a Cardiac MRI (CMR) scan?

It's a special type of scan that uses strong magnets and radio waves to create detailed pictures of your heart, helping doctors see how it's working.

What is AI?

AI, or Artificial Intelligence, is a computer program designed to learn and perform tasks, in this case, to help position the scanner for heart pictures.

Will the AI take over from human doctors?

No, the AI is designed to assist and support the expert staff, helping them to work more efficiently, not to replace them.

Will taking part affect my medical care?

No, participating in this study will not affect your usual medical care or the results of your heart scan.

Is it safe to have extra pictures taken during my scan?

Yes, having a few extra pictures taken during your MRI scan is considered safe and uses the same technology as your routine scan.

How to find out more

James P Howard, MB BChir PhD

james.howard1@imperial.ac.uk +44 207 594 5735 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.