Cardiac MRI - part 3
Updated February 06, 2013.
- MRI has the potential of replacing at least 4 other cardiac tests: the echocardiogram, the MUGA scan, the thallium scan, and diagnostic cardiac catheterization.
- MRI does not involve exposing the patient to ionizing (potentially harmful) radiation, as do most non-invasive cardiac imaging tests (the exception being the echocardiogram.
- The images generated by MRI are remarkably complete, detailed and precise far more so than other cardiac imaging tests.
- It is difficult to monitor patients while they are in the MRI scanner - for instance, the ECG is significantly distorted - so this technique is not suitable for patients who are critically ill.
- Patients with certain kinds of medical devices such as pacemakers, implantable defibrillators and some artificial heart valves may not be able to have MRI safely.
- The MRI image becomes distorted by metal, so the image is distorted in patients with surgical clips or stents, for instance.
- MRI technology extremely complex and expensive. For MRI to come under widespread usage, funds will have to be developed to purchase equipment, and many more individuals will need to be trained to use this technology.
It is clearly technically feasible for MRI to replace – and significantly improve on many of the sophisticated imaging techniques that are now routinely performed in cardiology. The potential for MRI to accurately diagnose and direct the treatment of coronary artery disease before it becomes clinically apparent is probably the most exciting prospect. Before this can happen, however, the amazing technology now being developed needs to be made inexpensive enough to achieve broad usage.
Sources:
Lima, JA, Desai, MY. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging: current and emerging applications. J Am Coll Cardiol 2004; 44:1164.
Pennell, DJ, Sechtem, UP, Higgins, CB, et al. Clinical indications for cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR): Consensus Panel report. Eur Heart J 2004; 25:1940.
What are the major advantages of cardiac MRI?
Note: these advantages are largely potential advantages, and won't be realized until technology currently being tested becomes more refined and widespread:- MRI has the potential of replacing at least 4 other cardiac tests: the echocardiogram, the MUGA scan, the thallium scan, and diagnostic cardiac catheterization.
- MRI does not involve exposing the patient to ionizing (potentially harmful) radiation, as do most non-invasive cardiac imaging tests (the exception being the echocardiogram.
- The images generated by MRI are remarkably complete, detailed and precise far more so than other cardiac imaging tests.
What are the disadvantages of cardiac MRI?
- Being placed in the MRI scanner can induce significant claustrophobia in about 5% of patients.- It is difficult to monitor patients while they are in the MRI scanner - for instance, the ECG is significantly distorted - so this technique is not suitable for patients who are critically ill.
- Patients with certain kinds of medical devices such as pacemakers, implantable defibrillators and some artificial heart valves may not be able to have MRI safely.
- The MRI image becomes distorted by metal, so the image is distorted in patients with surgical clips or stents, for instance.
- MRI technology extremely complex and expensive. For MRI to come under widespread usage, funds will have to be developed to purchase equipment, and many more individuals will need to be trained to use this technology.
Summary
MRI technology holds tremendous promise in the evaluation and treatment of cardiac disease.It is clearly technically feasible for MRI to replace – and significantly improve on many of the sophisticated imaging techniques that are now routinely performed in cardiology. The potential for MRI to accurately diagnose and direct the treatment of coronary artery disease before it becomes clinically apparent is probably the most exciting prospect. Before this can happen, however, the amazing technology now being developed needs to be made inexpensive enough to achieve broad usage.
Sources:
Lima, JA, Desai, MY. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging: current and emerging applications. J Am Coll Cardiol 2004; 44:1164.
Pennell, DJ, Sechtem, UP, Higgins, CB, et al. Clinical indications for cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR): Consensus Panel report. Eur Heart J 2004; 25:1940.
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