Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a safe, noninvasive test that creates detailed images of your organs and tissues. MRI uses radio waves and magnets to create images of your organs and tissues. Unlike computed tomography (to-MOG-ra-fee) scans (also called CT scans) or conventional x rays, MRI imaging doesn't use ionizing radiation or carry any risk of causing cancer. Cardiac MRI uses a computer to create images of your heart as it's beating, producing both still and moving pictures of your heart and major blood vessels. Doctors use cardiac MRI to get images of the beating heart and to look at the structure and function of the heart. These images can help them decide how best to treat patients with heart problems.
- Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a safe, noninvasive test that uses radio waves and magnets to create detailed images of the heart without using x rays.
- Cardiac MRI can help diagnose and evaluate a number of diseases and conditions. The test helps doctors decide how to treat patients who have heart problems.
- Sometimes during cardiac MRI, a special dye is injected into a vein to help highlight the heart or blood vessels on the images.
- People who have certain types of implanted medical devices in their bodies shouldn't have cardiac MRI. Your doctor will let you know if you shouldn't have a cardiac MRI because of a medical device.
- Cardiac MRI usually takes 45 to 90 minutes, depending on how many images are needed. The test may take less time with some newer MRI machines.
- During the test, you will be asked to lie still on a sliding table that goes inside a tunnel-like machine. You may be given medicine to help you relax.
- A doctor who has experience with MRI will provide your doctor with the results of your test. Your doctor will discuss the findings with you.
- Cardiac MRI produces no side effects from the magnetic fields and radio waves. Serious reactions from the contrast dyes used for MRI are rare.
- In some cases, cardiac MRI can replace coronary angiography to look at the flow of blood through the coronary arteries, avoiding the need to use x-ray radiation and iodine-based dyes.
- Researchers are finding new ways to use cardiac MRI. In the future, cardiac MRI may be used to guide invasive procedures such as cardiac catheterization.
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