Children's Hospital Los Angeles in the US has launched its new paediatric cardiac imaging suite to provide advanced technology, enhanced access, and service.

The 6,650ft² suite is equipped with Siemens FreeMax 0.55 Tesla MRI system, which the hospital states is a first for paediatric care in the US.

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Cardiology chief Paul F Kantor said: “It’s a commitment we take seriously as one of the top pediatric cardiology and heart surgery programmes in the country that routinely treats some of the most complex cardiac patients.

“We are thrilled to be the first in the US to offer this groundbreaking new technology to children and could not be more excited to harness this machine to further research and develop new applications in pediatric and fetal imaging.”

The introduction of low-field MRI technology at the hospital is claimed to provide diagnostic-quality images of the heart, lungs, and more, with a magnet strength three to six times lower than that of conventional clinical systems.

This system is particularly beneficial for imaging foetuses and for patients with metal implants or larger body sizes, who often face challenges with ultrasound or computed tomography, stated the hospital.

Children’s Hospital Los Angeles Cardiovascular MRI director John Wood said: “This technology will allow Children’s Hospital Los Angeles to pioneer novel MRI applications such as using the 0.55T magnet to guide procedures such as cardiac catheterisations. Using low-field MRI instead of X-ray would be a big deal for children, as limiting radiation exposure is key.

“The applications for lung imaging are also exciting, as there is no good way currently to monitor the progression of lung disease in babies and children. While it will take time to develop these techniques and translate them to the clinical environment, that is where we are headed, thanks to this revolutionary machine.”

The suite also houses the Siemens Sola 1.5 Tesla MRI machine, which provides high-resolution imaging and faster scan times.

Additionally, the facility includes five patient prep and recovery bays and an anaesthesia induction room, with plans for a cardiac CT scanner in the future.

Specialised stress testing for myocardial perfusion, which addresses blood flow issues in the heart, is also a service offered by the suite.