Areas of investigation

Improving the diagnosis and management of thoracic and cardiovascular diseases by utilizing advanced imaging techniques.

Thoracic Imaging

Early detection and characterization of lung nodules: Leveraging new technologies like low-field MRI and CT advancements to accurately identify and assess potential lung cancer early.
Optimizing lung cancer screening programs: Refining current strategies and exploring new approaches to effectively detect lung cancer while minimizing risks and costs.

Cardiovascular Imaging

Enhanced diagnosis and risk assessment of coronary artery disease: Utilizing innovative CT angiography techniques and exploring novel markers to accurately diagnose and predict complications from CAD.
Development and implementation of advanced cardiac imaging methods: Applying advanced techniques in cardiac MRI and CT to gain deeper insights into heart function and disease processes.
Patient-centered approaches to imaging utilization: Evaluating the clinical impact of various imaging practices on patient outcomes, considering both diagnostic accuracy and patient well-being.

Cross-cutting Themes

• Artificial intelligence and machine learning: Integrating these tools into image analysis for improved accuracy, efficiency, and decision support.
• Personalized medicine: Tailoring imaging protocols and interpretations based on individual patient characteristics and risk factors.
• Radiation dose optimization: Minimizing radiation exposure while maintaining image quality for patient safety.
• Research in thoracic imaging
  • Low field (0.55T) MRI: assessment of pulmonary nodules. This project aims to evaluate a dedicated low-field MRI protocol, including ultrashort echo sequences, to demonstrate the potential clinical application in chest imaging. Furthermore, we will assess the feasibility and reliability of low-field MRI for detecting, characterizing, and measuring lung nodules compared to low-dose CT (LDCT).
  • CT dose optimization
  • Lung cancer screening research