Cardiac Imaging Service

We use state-of-the-art imaging equipments (echo, CT and MRI) to obtain detailed information of the heart anatomy and function. This allows the team to tailor the best treatment option for our patients and produce the best outcomes for surgeries and interventional procedures.

We aim to provide the best quality of care by ensuring all patients especially with complex congenital heart disease, to be thoroughly evaluated for all possible treatment plans. Below are examples of our imaging techniques. In complex cases, multiple modalities (or types of imaging) are used to obtain the highest quality information. 

• Echocardiography (or "echo") is the mainstay to obtain high quality, fine details of the heart anatomy and can resolve the majority of clinical questions. It is relatively quick to carry out and can be delivered at patient bedside. 
• CT (or CAT scan, computed tomography) uses X-ray beams to look at the heart and blood vessels. In many heart conditions, CT is used when certain areas of the heart or blood vessels cannot be seen well on echo. 
• MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) gives similar information to CT, plus more information regarding heart function, chamber size and flow within the blood vessels. 

Following careful imaging interpretation, group of cardiologists and surgeons form the treatment plan that is tailored for patient's individual condition to produce the best outcome. 

Using the latest technologies that has been proven helpful, we have a team of biomedical engineers and imaging specialists working together to develop virtual simulation platform, This enables  cardiac surgeons/interventional cardiologists, to get into the details of the operation, test out different treatment options, in Virtual Reality / Augmented Reality or computer-aided simulation before the actual case. Located at the Innovation Hub, the in-house 3D printing facility to allow operators tactic practical experience prior to the contact with the patients. 

With permission of patients and family, we are building an imaging library of anonymized heart anatomy to help educate young cardiologists and surgeons , as well as patients and family whose children suffer the same defect. 

North West cross-sectional imaging collective network & beyond

Our Imaging Cardiologists and Radiologists have world-class accreditation and specific training in cardiac imaging in leading centres in the UK and USA. We are working towards a collaborative network with specialists at the Royal Manchester Children's Hospital and Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital to provide comprehensive CT/MRI services for paediatric and adult patients with congenital heart disease across the region. Being active members of the British Congenital Cardiac Association and the British Society of Radiology, our doctors are working to develop a national network of Congenital Cardiac CT and MRI specialists. We also collaborate with other world-class centres, to exchange skills and expertise. 

Research 

Cardiac Imaging is rapidly evolving. We are committed to research and development especially on new techniques that provide accurate yet less invasive to the patients. These include rapid CT and MRI, to minimize radiation exposure (for CT) and the use of general anaesthesia or sedation in younger children. 

Meet the Team

Dr Robert Johnson

Dr Joyce Lim

Dr Musa Kaleem

Dr Alexandra Williams

Dr Phuoc Duong

Echocardiographers

Radiographers

Link to Resources

Having an echo in clinic

Cardiac MRI in children - what can be expected

Cardiac CT in children - what can be expected

Does my child need sedation or anaesthesia?

Contact information

Cardiac CT/MRI

Email: cardiac.ct.mri@alderhey.nhs.uk