Magnetic resonance imaging is a non-invasive procedure that has revolutionised the diagnosis and treatment of many conditions. However its application for the heart (CMR) is still evolving, with particular difficulties resulting from its rapid movement.

Support from the Foundation has enabled the establishment of an internationally recognised research CMR unit at Royal North Shore Hospital and the University of Sydney.

The research group applies the technique of CMR to examine heart injury and heart function. The study has published CMR data demonstrating the devastating effects of cocaine-induced thrombosis with subsequent large heart attacks in young, healthy individuals immediately after cocaine use.

In addition, it has published studies using CMR to identify clots in the heart after heart attack, and to identify structural abnormalities in young people suffering potentially fatal arrhythmias. Members of the research team were also invited by the Journal of the American College of Cardiology (Cardiovascular Interventions) to publish a ‘state of the art review’ on “Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging for the Interventional Cardiologist”.

Findings from this research also featured on ABC TV and local papers in October 2010.

Project title: Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging Research Facility

Investigators: Dr Gemma Figtree, Dr Stuart Grieve, J McCrohon, Dr Christopher Choong, Professor Stephen Hunyor, Associate Professor Leonard Kritharides, Dr Raj Puranik, Professor Helge Rasmussen, Dr Michael Ward

Funded since: 2008