Cardiac MRI, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, is an advanced medical imaging technique that provides detailed and non-invasive visualisation of the heart and its surrounding structures. This sophisticated diagnostic test utilises powerful magnets and radio waves to generate high-resolution images of the heart, offering valuable insights into cardiac anatomy, function, and blood flow..
During a Cardiac MRI, the patient lies comfortably within a large, tunnel-shaped MRI scanner. The scanner generates a strong magnetic field, causing the hydrogen nuclei in the body’s tissues, including the heart, to align. Radio waves are then applied, causing these nuclei to emit signals. A computer processes these signals to create precise, multi-dimensional images of the heart, including its chambers, valves, blood vessels, and surrounding tissues.
Interpreting Cardiac MRI Findings, Cardiac MRI provides a wealth of information, including:
Cardiac Function:
It offers detailed images of the heart’s size, shape, and function, including ejection fraction (pumping efficiency).
Myocardial Viability:
Cardiac MRI can assess areas of heart muscle damage or viability, crucial for diagnosing heart attacks or cardiomyopathies.
Blood Flow:
The test can evaluate blood flow patterns, detect obstructions, and assess the impact on heart function.
Valve Function:
Cardiac MRI visualises heart valve structure and function, including regurgitation or stenosis.
Pericardium and Great Vessels:
It examines the pericardium (membrane surrounding the heart) and the great vessels (aorta and pulmonary artery).
Cardiac MRI serves several essential purposes in cardiology:
Accurate Diagnosis:
It provides highly detailed images for precise diagnosis of various heart conditions, including coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathies, congenital heart defects, and valvular diseases.
Treatment Planning:Cardiac
MRI guides medical professionals in planning surgeries, interventions, or treatments.
Risk Assessment:
The scan helps assess an individual’s risk of heart disease and can monitor disease progression or response to treatment.
Non-Invasive Evaluation:
Unlike some other imaging methods, Cardiac MRI is non-invasive and does not use ionising radiation, making it safe for repeated use.
There are different types of Cardiac MRI studies, including:
Cine MRI:
This type captures dynamic images of the beating heart to assess cardiac function.
Late Gadolinium Enhancement (LGE):
LGE MRI identifies areas of heart muscle damage, fibrosis, or scarring.
Stress Cardiac MRI:
It evaluates the heart’s response to stress (such as exercise or medication) to detect coronary artery disease.
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