What is Cardiac MRI?
MRI is particularly useful for evaluating the cardiovascular system. The test is non-invasive and allows physicians to obtain images of the heart as it is beating.
MRI can create moving images of the heart throughout its pumping cycle, which shows abnormalities in cardiac chamber contraction and abnormal patterns of blood flow in the heart and great vessels. Images of the chest and cardiovascular system may also be obtained from many angles.
MRI can identify areas of the heart muscle that are not receiving adequate blood supply from the coronary arteries. Aided by use of non-iodine-based enhancing agent (Gadolinium-DTPA), it can also clearly identify areas of the muscle that have become damaged as a result of a heart attack.
