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Heart MRI
Alternate Names : Magnetic Resonance Imaging - Cardiac, MRI of the Heart, NMR - Cardiac, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance - Cardiac
Definition A noninvasive procedure that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to construct pictures of the heart.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) produces pictures of the heart without exposure to ionizing radiation (X-rays). The heart may be scanned by itself, or a heart MRI may be part of a chest MRI.
Pictures & Images
 See all Pictures & Images
Why is the Test Performed?
MRI provides detailed pictures of the heart and blood vessels and can distinguish tissues from moving blood. It can differentiate between heart muscle and surrounding tissues and can clarify findings from previous X-rays or CT scans. MRI excels at showing the heart from multiple imaging planes. MRI is useful in the diagnosis of congenital abnormalities, abnormal growths, and tumors.
MRI is sometimes used to avoid the dangers of angiography, repeated exposure to radiation, or exposure to iodinated contrast dye. It may provide additional information when an echocardiogram is unclear, since bone and air do not interfere with imaging. In addition, cardiac MRI provides a wider view and better spatial resolution (detail) than echocardiogram.
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• Definition
• Why is the Test Performed?
• How is the Test Performed?
• How to Prepare for the Test?
• How will the Test Feel?
• What do Abnormal Results Mean?
• Special Considerations
• Risks
• Pictures & Images
Topics that might be of interest to you Diseases & Conditions
• Atrial Myxoma - Left
• Atrial Myxoma - Right
• Heart Attack
• Pericarditis
• Pulmonary Atresia
• Tumor
Tests & Exams
• Arteriogram
• Chest MRI
• CT Scan
• Echocardiogram
• MRI
Other Topics
• Adolescent Test or Procedure Preparation
• Confusion
• Infant Test/Procedure Preparation
• Invasive
• Metabolism
• Necrosis
• Noninvasive
• Preschooler Test/Procedure Preparation
• School Age Test/Procedure Preparation
• Toddler Test/Procedure Preparation
• Traction
Review Date : 5/2/2003
Reviewed By : Benjamin Taragin, M.D., Department of Radiology, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, New York, NY. Review Provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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