Cardiac MR

Condition

What is coronary artery disease?
Coronary artery disease (CAD), also known as coronary heart disease (CHD), is a disease in which there is a narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that carry blood and oxygen to the heart. CAD is usually caused by a build up of fatty material and plaque inside the coronary arteries, called atherosclerosis. The disease may cause chest pain, shortness of breath during exercise and heart attacks. The risk of CAD is increased by having a family history of CAD before age 50, older age, smoking tobacco, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, lack of exercise and obesity.

Screening

What is Cardiac MRI?
Cardiac MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is an imaging test that uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to produce high quality still or moving pictures of structures inside the heart. An advantage of MRI over other methods for imaging the body, such as CT (computed tomography) or Nuclear Medicine, is that no X-rays or radioactivity are used to create the pictures.

MRI can provide information about the anatomy, function, perfusion and the damage that the heart has sustained, depending on the indication for your study. MRI may also be used to assess the blood vessels in the body.

When should I consider Cardiac MRI?
Indications for Cardiac MRI:

Ischemic heart disease including evaluation of left ventricular function, perfusion and viability
Viability assessment - detection of the presence, extent and severity of infarcted and viable myocardium.
Myocarditis
Pericardial disease
Heart Failure
Congenital heart disease (pre and post operative)
Cardiac mass | tumor | thrombus
Aortic aneurysms and dissections
Pulmonary veins evaluation before and after radiofrequency ablation procedures
Valvular heart disease
Cardiac shunt

Contraindications to Cardiac MRI

Metal injury to the eyes
Cardiac pacemaker | Implanted cardiac defibrillator
Aneurysm clips
Carotid artery vascular clamp
Neuro-stimulator
Implanted drug infusion device | Bone growth | fusion stimulator
Cochlear, otologic, or ear implant

What should I expect BEFORE my Cardiac MRI?
Please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your appointment time. There are many questions we need to ask prior to having the MRI. Your early arrival will help to ensure that we are able to perform the test efficiently and safely.

If you are claustrophobic, you may ask your doctor to schedule your MRI with sedation (a medication to help you relax).

We will also ask you a series of questions that will determine whether or not it is safe for you to undergo the MRI. Specifically, you will be asked if you have any metal objects inside of your body. Some examples include: Pacemakers, heart valves, aneurysm repairs, injuries in which metal could have lodged within the body, especially into your eyes.

We may also order additional tests or request further information from you or your doctor concerning any metal implants you may have.

You will be asked to change into a hospital gown and to remove all metal objects, such as pens, eyeglasses, jewelry, hairpins, dentures, credit cards or dental bridgework. We recommend that you leave metal accessory items at home.

Women should always inform their physician or technologist if there is any possibility that they are pregnant. Because the risks of an MRI exam to the baby are unknown, pregnant women should not have this exam unless the potential benefit from the MRI is assumed to outweigh the potential risks.

What should I expect DURING my Cardiac MRI?
Prior to the MRI exam, an intravenous catheter may be inserted in your arm for intravenous contrast injection. Electrocardiogram leads will be placed in order to monitor your heart. Before beginning the study you will be coached in a method to hold your breath. You will be asked to hold your breath for 10-15 seconds on several occasions.

The MRI machine is a tube with a 3 feet wide opening in the center. You will be asked to lie on a table that slides into the central opening. Using a speaker and headphone system, we will be able to communicate with you throughout the exam. It is very important for you to stay as still as possible because movements can create blurring of the images. The scanner will make a loud knocking noise every time you will be asked to hold your breath. Earplugs will be given to you to muffle the noise. The length of the MRI scan varies depending on what kind of information your doctor has requested, but typically is approximately 60 minutes.

What should I expect AFTER my Cardiac MRI?
If you have not been sedated, no recovery period is necessary. You may resume your usual activities and normal diet immediately after the exam. A few patients experience side effects from the contrast material, including nausea and local pain. Very rarely, patients are allergic to the contrast material and experience hives and itchy eyes.

It is recommended that nursing mothers not breastfeed for 36 to 48 hours after an MRI with a contrast material.

Typically, the results of any examination will be available to your doctor within 24 hours. Your doctor will communicate the results of your study directly to you.

Our Service

The Division of Cardiovascular Imaging & Intervention provides a full range of diagnostic and image-guided interventional studies of the vascular system. This Division consists of nine full-time radiologists, all of whom are board-certified in general radiology and fellowship trained with additional specialization in vascular procedures. In addition, each has extensive training in the use of x-ray equipment, x-ray dye and image interpretation. The Mass General Clinical Cardiac MRI Service utilizes state-of-the-art MRI scanners with high performance gradients and parallel acquisition coils.

Please see below for our Cardiovascular imaging interventional radiologists who specialize in interpreting Cardiac MRI:

Where is Cardiac MRI performed?

Massachusetts General Hospital Imaging
55 Fruit Street, Ellison 225 (Ellison 2 Floor Map )
Boston, MA 02114

How to schedule Cardiac MRI
A referral from a physician is necessary to schedule a Cardiac MRI.

Physicians may schedule patients using our online scheduling and report access program - ROE.

For detailed information please call the Cardiac MRI Service directly:

Phone: 617-724-4752

To assist us with scheduling a patient, please have the following information available when you call:

Patient name and phone number
Indication(s) for the exam
Referring Physician name and phone number
MGH Medical Record Number (MRN)

Additional Information and Resources

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