CMU’s Faculties of Engineering and Medicine Achieve Thailand’s First Clinical Application of CFD and 4D MRI in Cardiac Surgical Planning
A multidisciplinary team from Chiang Mai University (CMU) comprising the Faculty of Engineering, the Faculty of Medicine, and the Biomedical Engineering Institute — has successfully translated cross-disciplinary innovation into clinical practice for the first time in Thailand
The findings have been published in the international journal Journal of Cardiothoracic Surgery under the title “The Utility of 4D Flow MRI and Computational Fluid Dynamics in Developing the Fontan Model Enhances Presurgical Planning and Ensures Better Outcomes: The First Case Report in Thailand.”
The study was led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Yottana Khunatorn of the Department of Mechanical Engineering , in collaboration with Assoc. Prof. Kwannapas Saengsin, M.D., of the Department of Pediatrics , together with the dedicated research and surgical teams.
The research reports on a right heart bypass procedure performed on a patient with highly complex Congenital Heart Disease . By integrating 4D Cardiac MRI with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) , the team developed virtual surgical models simulating multiple vascular connection configurations prior to the operation. These simulations allowed the surgical team to compare hemodynamic outcomes and identify the configuration offering optimal blood flow — providing critical evidence to guide intraoperative decision-making
This achievement underscores the potential of computational modelling to advance Personalized Treatment planning , expanding the capabilities of modern medicine and ultimately improving patients’ quality of life
Read the full article at: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s13019-026-04096-8
