Computer Science Saves Children From Heart Surgery

In the EU CARDIOPROOF project, researchers have developed software that allows a computer simulation to observe and analyze parts of a child's heart. When children are diagnosed with a heart defect or disease they must go through a series of exhausting examinations. Then after the examinations they experience the awful treatments and interventions they need to survive. Fraunhofer researchers have worked to together to develop a computer simulation that simulates the effects an intervention or treatment has on a child's heart. The simulation helps determine whether or not the treatment is a necessity, in case a child doesn't need to experience the pain of a long term intervention or operation. The simulation analyzes blood flow and  pressure in vessels.
The computer simulation uses an MRI scanner to take images of the patient's heart. These images allow doctors to analyze the heart's blood flow and the shape and size of the blood vessels. The software in the simulation then calculates the blood flow and pressure in vessels before and after the simulation. Their observations determine what treatments and interventions a child may or may not need. It will save many children from experiencing unnecessary treatment and surgery. Also, parents will save money from all the unnecessary health costs they would have without the simulation. Results show the software reduces the number of complications and follow up treatments a child has to experience. Its great to see the impact computer science has on health, especially the health of children.

References:
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/09/160906085157.htm
http://www.cardioproof.eu/about/overview-on-the-project/