An initiative that is positioning Portugal at the forefront of artificial intelligence applied to cardiac imaging, with a direct impact on clinical innovation and access to diagnosis.
The AI4CMRex initiative, led by AI4MedImaging and co-funded by COMPETE 2030, represents a new step forward in the application of artificial intelligence to cardiovascular diagnosis. Building on the evolution of the AI4CMR platform, the project aims to enhance the automation of the analysis and interpretation of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, contributing to faster, more robust and scalable diagnoses. As Manuel Monteiro, COO of AI4MedImaging, emphasises, “The AI4CMRex project, supported by COMPETE 2030, builds on this ambition and enables us to take AI4CMR to a new level by 2027.”
Portuguese technology with a global impact
At the heart of the operation is the expansion of a solution that is already internationally recognised. As Manuel Monteiro notes, “AI4CMR is a global cloud-based solution for the automatic analysis of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CMR).” He adds that it is “a Software as a Medical Device (SaMD) certified by the world’s leading regulatory bodies”, highlighting the technological maturity underpinning this new phase of development.
The AI4CMRex initiative aims to enhance this capability through new methodologies for automatic segmentation and quantification, including the atria, vascular structures and advanced sequences such as T1 and T2 mapping. The aim is to increase the accuracy of interpretation and reduce reliance on manual or semi-automatic processes, which are still common in clinical practice.
Greater automation, greater clinical efficiency
One of the key contributions of this initiative is to address the challenges associated with the complexity and time-consuming nature of analysing cardiac MRI scans. In this context, Manuel Monteiro emphasises: “We will enhance the accuracy and reliability of diagnoses, introduce new fully automated analysis capabilities, and make the experience for doctors even simpler, faster and more intuitive.”
This vision translates into concrete innovation. The initiative involves the development of new processing pipelines, enhancing the robustness of algorithms, and improving generalisation across different devices and protocols – essential factors for large-scale adoption. The expected impact is clear in Manuel Monteiro’s words: “All of this helps ensure that a test which normally takes a long time to analyse can be completed in a matter of minutes, with more consistent and objective results.”
Democratising access to advanced diagnostics
More than just efficiency gains, the initiative is positioned as a contribution to democratising access to advanced care. The shortage of specialists and the complexity of interpretation continue to limit the wider use of cardiac MRI, despite its clinical value.
It is precisely here that Manuel Monteiro identifies one of the project’s greatest impacts: “More importantly, we are democratising access to cardiac MRI, a crucial examination in the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases, bringing it to hospitals and regions where a shortage of specialists currently limits its use.”
By integrating new features into the AI4CMR platform and enhancing interoperability with hospital systems, the initiative aims to accelerate early diagnoses and reduce the burden on clinical staff, promoting more equitable access to healthcare innovation. As Manuel Monteiro points out, “The clinical impact is profound: we anticipate greater efficiency in analysis time compared to the traditional manual approach, freeing specialists to focus on what truly matters: patient care.”
Co-funded innovation to compete globally
Support from COMPETE 2030 acts as a catalyst for this technological and scientific ambition. According to Manuel Monteiro, “For us, COMPETE 2030 is a key development partner, enabling us to invest heavily in research, attract highly qualified talent, clinically validate each innovation and accelerate the arrival on the global market of a technology designed in Portugal.”
The AI4CMRex initiative thus brings to life a vision where innovation, science and clinical impact converge. And, as Manuel Monteiro concludes, it is also “proof that it is possible, from our country, to create world-class solutions in such demanding fields as healthcare and artificial intelligence, helping to save lives across the globe.”
Links
AI4CMR | Website
08 May 2026
Individual productive investment operations in innovative activities, promoted by SMEs, in low-density territories.