Saturday, August 17, 2013

Cardiac MRI

By E. Cochen


What is Cardiac MRI? Well, first MRI means Magnetic Resonance Imaging. It is a test for assessing and evaluating the heart. This is actually a particularly accurate test and can provide quality information about a heart, its structure as well as its functions. This is also used in order to accurately evaluate the all the important blood vessel of the heart and also its current status. This test is basically considered noninvasive, why? It's because the need for surgery is not required, and of course there will be no instruments to be inserted in a patient's body just to create some detailed photo of the heart and its surrounding tissues.

In MRI testing, injecting contrast (gadolinium) is necessary in order to obtain information about the heart's blood supply as well as to know the amount of the scarring heart muscles, if any. There are various reasons why this test is being conducted. It is actually being used to investigate any unusual findings or structural abnormalities noted in the imaging test. This test is also used to monitor the thickness of heart's muscles, its function, and size. It is also being used to assess if the heart and its function can be improved through an angioplasty or bypass surgery especially to patients who have previous damage in the heart muscles.

Cardiac MRI will be used if immediate evaluation is required from a patient's heart and other parts of it like the aorta, pulmonary arteries, pericardium, etc. Prior to test, the patient must be prepared physically and emotionally. If there is a need for contrast injection, the patient must go on a fasting three hours before undergoing the test. The need to attached electrodes on the chest area is necessary in this test.

Cardiac MRI is basically common to people. This is typically used to assess and diagnose many conditions and diseases of the heart which include damages from a heart attack, heart failure, problems of the heart valve, congenital heart diseases or defects, pericarditis, cardiac tumors, etc.

MRI testing is generally a safe procedure. The patient will have no radiation exposure at all, and it side effects are uncommon. Patients may feel uncomfortable, anxious, and some may feel claustrophobic inside the machine or the scanner. Sometimes, the patient will be given earphones to listen to some relaxing music; this will help relax the patient's mind during the test. A technician will be in contact with the patient; this person will explain everything to the patient while on the test. The contrast or gadolinium injection is safe, and it has a low related risk to side effects.

Cardiac MRI test usually takes one to two and a half hours. The electrodes will be attached on the patient's chest in order to monitor the heart as well as its rhythm. Health care providers will see to it that the patient is relaxed and comfortable while inside the scanner. The patient will lie down on the scanner and needs to be quite for several minutes and will be required to hold breath intermittently while photos of the heart are being taken.




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