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.

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MRI detects heart failure risk in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

About 40% of individuals had scarring patterns on their heart muscle visible during imaging, which was associated with a greater risk of suffering a major cardiac event.

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Cardiac MR comparable to FFR for evaluating nonculprit lesions after STEMI

A study published in the latest edition of JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging suggests cardiac magnetic resonance imaging can be as effective as measurements of fractional flow reserve in evaluating nonculprit lesions after STEMI.

The economic impact of MR on heart failure patients

Newly diagnosed HF patients with concomitant mitral regurgitation can expect more admissions, longer hospital stays and pricier medical bills than HF patients without MR, according to an analysis published in the American Journal of Cardiology.

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Cardiac MRI-derived T2 mapping may help heart failure patients

Researchers used T2 mapping taken from weekly cardiac MRIs to help identify cardiotoxicity at an early stage, according to results of a pig study published Feb. 18 in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The findings could help cancer patients at risk of chemo-induced heart failure.

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T2 mapping may uncover cardiotoxic marker early enough to prevent heart failure

T2 mapping derived from weekly cardiac MRIs helped researchers identify cardiotoxicity at an early and reversible stage, a finding which may have implications for cancer patients at risk of chemotherapy-induced heart failure.

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New protocol cuts costs, time for CMR imaging

A simplified cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) protocol using a contrast agent allowed clinicians in Peru to diagnose heart ailments more quickly and cheaply, a new study found. The results, published online Aug. 29 in the Journal of the American Heart Association, highlight a potential pathway to realizing the benefits of CMR in developing nations.

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Quantitative CMR improves predictions for patients with stable CAD

A quantitative measure of stress perfusion by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging showed superior ability to predict major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in unselected patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD), according to a study published May 7 in JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging.

Example of spectral, or dual-energy CT, confirming a pulmonary embolism (PE). Image courtesy of Philips Healthcare

MRA vs CTA for evaluating pulmonary embolism: Does the chosen modality impact downstream imaging utilization?

MR angiography (MRA) is a relatively new alternative to CT angiography (CTA) for the evaluation of suspected pulmonary embolism (PE) and it even has one major advantage over CTA: it does not expose patients to ionizing radiation.

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