UTMB breakthrough cuts heart scan times by 35%

Research at The University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB) has resulted in a breakthrough in medical imaging efficiency that is drastically reducing the time patients spend inside MRI scanners.

The research, published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology, shows that by redesigning how cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging is managed and streamlining the clinical workflow, researchers were able to decrease average scan times by 35.1% - from 94.7 minutes down to 61.4 minutes..

This dramatic time savings boosted patient access and facility utilization across UTMB campuses, including a 32% increase in monthly CMR scan volume at the main Galveston campus (from 18 examinations preintervention to 23 examination postintervention) and a 200% increase at the Clear Lake campus (from two examinations preintervention to six examinations postintervention). In addition, the team launched a CMR service line at the League City campus, averaging 12 CMR examinations a month.

CMR is considered the gold standard noninvasive tool for evaluating complex heart conditions, heart failure, and chest pain. However, these scans are notorious for being lengthy and uncomfortable, often requiring patients to hold their breath repeatedly for long periods.

To solve this, a team led by Dr. Esosa Odigie-Okon implemented a tailored, pathology-driven approach rather than relying on standard, one-size-fits-all scanning routines. Odigie-Okon is an advanced cardiac imaging cardiologist, assistant clinical professor in Cardiovascular Medicine and Radiology, medical director of Cardiac MRI, and co-director of Cardiac CT at UTMB Health.

Before a patient ever enters the machine, an advanced cardiac imaging cardiologist thoroughly reviews their charts to pinpoint the exact suspected heart issue. The MRI technologist is then provided with a customized blueprint of contrast and noncontrast imaging sequences, prioritized specifically for that patient's clinical indication.

Using advanced command center software, top imaging cardiologists at UTMB Health can virtually step into scanning rooms across different campuses. By viewing live console screens and communicating with MRI technologists via video, audio, and chat, doctors can acquire or review images and modify or safely end a scan the exact moment a diagnostic question is answered.

The team also utilized an AI-driven software program called SuiteHeart, which allowed doctors to process, review, and generating final interpretations in real time, eliminating hours of backlogged paperwork.

"Shorter scan times mean significantly better patient comfort, less time holding one's breath, and less anxiety inside the scanner," Odigie-Okon said. "Streamlining the clinical workflow from patient preparation to standardized image interpretation improves efficiency, reduces barriers to patient access, and enhances diagnostic accuracy. Ultimately, this leads to faster, more accurate answers and better overall outcomes for our patients."

Odigie-Okon said her team has expanded on this success by formally tracking long-term data on image quality improvements and analyzing the direct financial and clinical impact of these rapid scans on patient management.

The original study was published in late 2025, and Odigie-Okon presented updated data showing scan times now averaging 53 minutes at the American College of Cardiology Scientific Sessions in New Orleans in March 2026. One-year data will be presented at the American College of Cardiology Quality Summit in September, she said.

Additional UTMB researchers involved in this study: Olushola Ogunleye, Avery Love, Chandler O'Leary, Shahman Shahab, Ritika Saxena, and Diann Gaalema.