cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging

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Magnetic resonance imaging has been utilized to determine heart and vascular structure as well as function with high quality images without exposing patients to ionizing radiation or iodinated contrast dyes. CMR provides complete information for the assessment of various heart conditions including coronary artery diseases, congenital heart diseases, valvular heart diseases, vascular diseases and congestive heart failures. For patients with coronary artery diseases, CMR can provide comprehensive information on heart muscle and valvular functions, assessment of coronary artery blockages by stress testing and visualization of coronary arteries in one examination.


High-quality images provide excellent diagnostic ability to visualized cardiac structure and determine cardiac function very accurately

Excellent visualization of valve leaflets (arrows) 

Short axis view of the left ventricle revealed reducing perfusion in the territory of the left anterior descending coronary artery (arrows) 

and it was confirmed by coronary angiography by cardiac catheterization (arrow). 


Coronary artery images were acquired with MRI without using contrast administration or radiation exposure

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CMR can be used to evaluate patients with congestive heart failure in determining the heart function status and the cause of the heart failure. In patients with high blood pressure, narrowing of both of the renal arteries is one of the more treatable causes. CMR can assess renal arteries without the usage of iodinated contrast dye which can reduce kidney function in some patients. As a result, examination of the entire body’s arterial system can be performed without radiation exposure. 


MRA images of the abdominal aorta and peripheral arteries which were acquired in less than 3 minutes without administering nephrotoxic contrast.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Narrowing of the artery to left kidney   MRI is the best method in identifying scar tissue of the heart muscle as shown in the white areas.

      
Please consult your physician to decide if you can benefit from CMR should you have any or all of the following symptoms or conditions

  • Shortness of breath or history of heart failure
  • Chest pain with abnormal exercise ECG stress test
  • Valvular heart disease
  • Pericardial disease
  • Uncontrolled high blood pressure
  • Congenital heart disease
  • Pain during walking or peripheral vascular disease
  • Concern of the blockage of coronary artery disease and not eligible to MDCT
  • Determine whether you will have benefit from balloon angioplasty or bypass surgery