Professor Vanessa Ferreira and her team, including Professor Stefan Piechnik and Associate Professor Qiang Zhang, have been developing a landmark new technology called Virtual Native Enhancement (VNE). This technology paves the way for a fast, 10-minute comprehensive cardiac MRI scan that can evaluate not only cardiac structure and function, but also focal scarring in heart tissue, without the use of contrast injections.
Having a fast, radiation-free and contrast-free scan allows for a simpler procedure that can provide just as (or even more) comprehensive information. It is also safer and more cost-effective.
The team has already validated VNE on patients with two cardiac conditions – hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and chronic myocardial infarction – but the technology needs further development for other heart diseases. This new funding will support work on validating the VNE in patients with acute myocardial infarction.
The Kusuma Trust gives grants to causes, organisations and people that are making a positive difference to society.