Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging MRI is used as both a functional and anatomical cardiac imaging test. It offers excellent soft tissue detail and the ability to quantify cardiac function. MRI scans can be performed with or without gadolinium contrast depending on what information is needed. Unlike computed tomography (CT), MRI does not use X-ray radiation, but patients with metal implants may have contraindications for MRI use because MR will heat up most metal objects. MRI exams usually take much longer than CT scans. How does MRI work? MR creates images by using powerful magnets to polarize hydrogen atoms in water (the body is made of of more than 80% water) so they face in one direction. A radiofrequency pulse is then used to ping these atoms, causing them to wobble, or resonate. The MRI coils detect this and computers can assemble images from the signals. Basic MRI scans will focus on the resonance of fat and water in two different sequences, which highlight and contrast different features in the anatomy.

FDA clears AI-powered cardiac imaging platform
The Tempus Pixel platform was designed to assist clinicians with the evaluation of cardiac MR images.
Pericarditis: New guidance takes on the diagnosis and management of a challenging heart condition
Pericarditis, inflammation of the pericardium, accounts for approximately 5% of all emergency department evaluations for chest pain. These new recommendations are designed to help guide clinicians through the ins and outs of patient care.
Cardiology still No. 2 in FDA-cleared clinical AI algorithms, trailing only radiology
Cardiology continues to be one of the most influential healthcare specialties when it comes to utilizing artificial intelligence.
New AI model outperforms humans at predicting sudden cardiac death
The model spots previously undetected scarring patterns on cardiac MRI scans of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy—a leading cause of sudden cardiac death among young people.
AI turns low-quality MRI scans into helpful heart images
A team of biomedical engineers, radiologists and cardiologists has developed a new AI model capable of restoring low-quality cardiac MRI scans.

An example of cardiac MRI myocardial blood flow reserve (MBFR) imaging. Image courtesy of https://doi.org/10.3390/diagnostics10090679

Imaging group thrilled with new CPT codes for MBFR measurements

The Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance applauded two new CPT Category III codes for myocardial blood flow reserve (MBFR) assessments.

Video interview with Marielle Scherrer-Crosbie, MD, Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, who explains details of creating a cardio-oncology program, whoi should be involved and the role of cardiac imaging.

Key things to remember when creating a cardio-oncology program

Marielle Scherrer-Crosbie, MD, explains what is needed to create a cardio-oncology program, and the role played by cardiac imagers.

New expert guidelines: Start PHV evaluations with echocardiography, but other imaging modalities can provide value

New guidelines from the American Society of Echocardiography, made in collaboration with the Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance and Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, represent an update of the group's original recommendations from 2009.

UCL Imaging vest screening cardiac conditions

New vest developed by cardiologists uses advanced heart imaging to screen for sudden cardiac arrest

“We identified a problem in cardiology,” one cardiologist explained. “Heart imaging has made remarkable progress in recent decades, but the electrics of the heart have eluded us."

João Cavalcante, MD, Minneapolis Heart Institute, spoke at the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) 2023 meeting to try and get more radiologists interested in cardiac imaging to help fill the rising need for cardiac imagers on structural heart teams and a growing number of other types of heart and acute care teams.

Filling the crucial role of multimodality imagers on the heart team

João Cavalcante, MD, spoke at RSNA 2023 about key topics and tried to get more radiologists interested in cardiac imaging.

Cardiology now has more than 100 FDA cleared AI algorithms

Cardiology makes up 10% of the 692 market-cleared clinical AI algorithms in the FDA’s latest update on the number of patient-facing AI now commercialized in the U.S. Experts share their thoughts on how it is being used.

Deep learning in cardiovascular imaging: 4 key takeaways for cardiologists

More and more AI algorithms are being trained to learn, think and act like a human physician. What does this mean for the future of cardiovascular imaging as time goes on?

Multidisciplinary quality improvement initiative significantly improves on-time starts for cardiac MRI

Such delays can result in longer patient fasts, extended wait times, and poor synchronization of anesthesia induction, researchers detailed in JACR.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

FDA clears AI-powered cardiac imaging platform

Pericarditis: New guidance takes on the diagnosis and management of a challenging heart condition

Cardiology still No. 2 in FDA-cleared clinical AI algorithms, trailing only radiology

New AI model outperforms humans at predicting sudden cardiac death

AI turns low-quality MRI scans into helpful heart images