Heart MRI

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Heart, section through the middle

Heart, front view

MRI scans

Overview

Risks

Results

Heart MRI

Alternative Names:

Magnetic resonance imaging - cardiac; NMR - cardiac; Nuclear magnetic resonance - cardiac; MRI of the heart

What the risks are:

There is no ionizing radiation involved in MRI, and there are no known side effects of the magnetic fields and radio waves on the human body. However, because the effects of strong magnetic fields on a fetus are not well known, pregnant women are usually advised to avoid MRI scans.

MRI is usually not recommended for traumatic injuries, because traction and life-support equipment cannot safely enter the scanner area, and scan times are relatively lengthy.

Gadolinium, the most commonly used intravenous contrast agent, is very safe. There have been documented allergic reactions to it, but this is extremely rare. If sedation is used, there are associated risks of oversedation. The technologist will monitor the patient's vital signs, including heart rate and respiration, as needed.

Special considerations:

MRI is more accurate than CT scan or other tests for certain conditions, but less accurate for others. Disadvantages include the high cost, long duration of the scan, and sensitivity to movement. People with claustrophobia or who are confused or anxious may have difficulty lying still for the relatively long scan times. MRI is not portable and is incompatible with some metallic implants, life support devices, traction, apparatus, and similar equipment.

MRI is superior in most cases in which differentiation of soft tissues is necessary. It can view organs without obstruction by bone and foreign bodies. It is capable of showing the tissues from multiple viewpoints and is a non invasive way to evaluate blood flow.

Review Date: 1/24/2005
Reviewed By: Jeffrey J. Brown, M.D., F.A.C.R., Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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