Cardiac MRI

Overview

Cardiac MRI provides a non-invasive radiation free tool to evaluate cardiac anatomy: shape, size, and blood flow. This technology provides images of the beating heart that no other specialty can offer today. Cardiac MRI can also image and diagnose cardiac scarring, pericardial abnormalities, congenital defects, and heart muscle viability pre and post bypass surgery. Cardiac MRI also visualizes the physiology of the heart at the cellular level providing a new exam previously unavailable. Cardiac MRI can provide patients with a comprehensive cardiac evaluation with only an I.V. Evaluating heart muscle damage in as little as 38 minutes provides patients with a fast efficient diagnosis.

Nuclear cardiology, cardiac catheterization, and cardiac PET are blood flow dependent. Cardiac MRI depends on water content inside the cell and can identify small areas of cellular damage that other technologies cannot. This is a primary reason why Cardiac MRI has been noted as a better predictor of heart attack for women with heart disease by the American College of Cardiology. Women can suffer from heart disease undetected by conventional testing due to the subtle symptoms and anatomic differences.

Men and women alike can benefit from Cardiac MRI compared to tests currently available. Cardiac catheterization visualizes the chambers of the heart and vessels but can not evaluate the cardiac muscle or its viability. Nuclear cardiology and PET visualize the heart muscle and the amount of blood that reaches the muscle but not the anatomy. Cardiac MRI can evaluate the anatomy of the heart and the heart muscle at the cellular level.

Test Procedure

For most of the cardiac studies we will be using contrast (dye). The contrast used in MRI is very different than other parts of Radiology. The MRI contrast does not contain Iodine, which is what a lot of patients are allergic to with CT or IVP contrast. However, if you do feel anything during the injection please inform the technologist immediately. Even though it is safer, it does not mean you may not be allergic to this type of contrast. The technologist will use a "butterfly" needle, or start an Intravenous Line (IV) before the study begins. How your study needs to be performed will determine how the contrast will be administered. This is the only way to best look at certain pathology such as tumors and infections. This will make your examination complete. The technologist will inform you prior to beginning the study if you will be getting contrast. The determination for the use of the contrast is by the radiologist, your physician might not have informed you because of this reason.

You will be covered with a blanket if you desire one, and will be given the option of listening to music.

You will be connected to a cardiac monitor during the procedure. Keep in mind that the area of concern has to be within the center of the magnet. The technologist will be placing you where you need to be to perform the study, unfortunately at times this means your head is in the machine. If you are claustrophobic and/or very nervous, contact your physician to see if they would like to give you some medication to make the test more pleasant. A family member is able to join you in the MRI suite, just as long as they too pass our medical screening.

We strongly recommend keeping your eyes closed, and try to relax. The MRI will make various noises that are considered normal; it is the technologist acquiring the images needed for your study. The technologist has no control over the volume and/or noise; therefore we will provide you with earplugs to minimize the noise.

Test Results

The radiologist will review your images later, and your physician will be providing you with the results. This may take up to three days. However, if it is considered an emergency, there are ways for physicians to get results more quickly.