Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) and Mayo Clinic announced a research collaboration aimed at advancing MRI for cardiac applications. Through this investigation, Philips and Mayo Clinic will look to harness the power of AI and the expertise of Mayo Clinic physicians to increase operational efficiency by shortening complex MRI exams and improving workflow for radiologists.

Ischemic heart disease is the world’s leading cause of mortality, accounting for 13% of all deaths globally [1], with the associated costs in the U.S. alone estimated at $252.2 billion in 2021 [2]. While a CT scan is often used to image patients presenting with heart issues, the ‘gold standard’ of care also includes MRI, which is especially useful when treating congenital heart disease or diseases affecting the heart muscle. However, due to its higher cost and limited availability, access to high-quality MRI is often limited.

“From the patient perspective, MRI scans can be stressful. A complex cardiac MRI exam can take over an hour, which is often challenging for patients who suffer from claustrophobia inside the bore of the scanner, find it difficult to lie still or are unable to hold their breath for the required time,” said Ioannis Panagiotelis, Ph.D., Business Leader of MRI at Philips. “By applying AI at every stage of a cardiac MRI exam, we intend to expand access and greatly improve the patient experience, increase departmental efficiency, and deliver the detailed diagnostic information needed for optimal patient outcomes.”

Applying AI to transform the patient experience and accelerate MRI exam times
The investigation intends to leverage Mayo Clinic’s proprietary AI technology in combination with Philips' AI-driven technology. Combining these investigational technologies can potentially help reduce MRI scan times, and improve the efficiency needed to relieve the burden on healthcare professionals and mitigate today's chronic shortage of trained staff. With the benefit of AI, even less experienced radiographers may be able to successfully perform complex cardiac MRI exams.

Expanding MRI cardiac access to wider patient populations
The research will also evaluate the potential of lower-field-strength MRI solutions developed by Philips. These solutions are designed to enable MRI installations in a broader range of locations and provide safer scanning options for individuals with implants sensitive to high magnetic fields. Around 3.9% of the U.S. population are currently fitted with a metallic orthopedic or cardiac implant [3], many of whom are currently denied an MRI scan due to safety concerns. It also has been estimated that 50% to 75% of patients who are fitted with a cardiac implantable electronic device are expected to benefit from a lower-field-strength solution at some point in their patient journey [4].