What is Cardiac MRI?
MRI stands for Magnetic Resonance Imaging. A cardiac MRI is an MRI scan of the heart and blood vessels. This test is non-invasive and does not expose you to any radiation.
During a cardiac MRI scan, many very thin 2-dimensional pictures are taken and assembled into 3-dimensional pictures, as well as moving video pictures of the heart beating and blood flowing through the chambers and valves.
This allows the doctor to look layer by layer at the area being scanned and helps to better assess complex cardiovascular anatomy.
A cardiac MRI may be used to evaluate the anatomy and function of the heart, valves and major blood vessels, surrounding structures (pericardial sack), effects of coronary artery disease and a patient's treatment for cardiovascular problems.
A cardiac MRI may also be used when the results from a nuclear stress test or echocardiogram are unclear.
Read about how MRI works.
How do I prepare for a Cardiac MRI?
When scheduling your appointment (online or by phone), provide us with your email address and we will send you personalized forms with your information already filled in.
You will only have to update or add any missing information. If your email address is not provided, you can still save time by downloading the MRI forms and completing them prior to arriving at the office.
Notify our staff if you have any metal or medical devices in your body. This exam may NOT be performed if you have a cardiac pacemaker, cerebral aneurysm clips or a metallic hearing implant.
You must remove all jewelry and any other metallic objects such as hearing aids, jeans with metal zippers, body piercings and removable dental work. Wearing a sweatsuit with no metal may prevent you from having to change into a gown.
Additional prep for MRI with I.V. contrast
If you have impaired kidney function, are diabetic or are 70 years of age or older, we will perform an i-STAT creatinine level at the time of your exam to assess your kidney function. It is important to inform us if you are taking any medications, especially hydroxyurea.
Additional prep for MRI with I.V. sedation, click here
Bring with you to the appointment:
- Prescription from your doctor.
- Current insurance card.
- Authorization number from your insurance carrier.
- Any forms you completed at home.
- Credit card or cash for your insurance co-pay.
- Any cardiac studies that you have from another facility. We like to compare the new MRI study with any previous studies to assist in the diagnostic process.
- Picture identification.
Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.
What happens during the test?
All metal must be removed before your scan including jewelry, dentures, eyeglasses, belt buckles and any clothing with metal zippers or buttons. Metal interferes with the quality and accuracy of the images captured during the MRI. If your clothing contains any metal, you will need to change into a gown.
The MRI technologist will confirm that you are free of all metal and review your medical history with you.
You will then be brought into the MRI room and asked to lie down on the scanning table. A special light-weight surface coil will be comfortably positioned over your chest. The coil maximizes the administration and recording of the radio frequency bursts and the magnetic fields to ensure the clearest possible images.
The scanning table you are lying on will be moved into the center of the magnet and the test will begin. The machine never touches you. Be sure to remain as still as possible to ensure the best possible images. Although the MRI technologist cannot stay in the room with you during the scan, he or she will be able to talk to you from outside the room through an intercom.
Once all of the images have been recorded, the scanning table will move out of the MRI machine and the technologist will return to assist you off the table.
The cardiac MRI procedure takes about 45 minutes to complete. An exam with I.V. contrast and/or I.V. sedation will take longer.
For MRI with I.V. contrast, click here.
For MRI with I.V. sedation, click here.
What will I do when I arrive?
Present your prescription, insurance card and completed forms at the front desk. If any additional forms are required, they will be given to you at this time.
Be sure to inform the receptionist and technologist if you:
- Have any compromised kidney function or a history of kidney disease.
- Are pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
- Are currently taking any medications.
- Have any metal in your body.
- Have a pacemaker or an implanted medical device.
- Have hearing aids.
- Have any cardiac studies from another facility. We like to compare the new MRI study with any previous studies to assist in the diagnostic process.
When can I expect the results?
One of our subspecialty trained cardiac MRI radiologists interprets your images, compares them to any previous studies and dictates a report which is transcribed, proofread and signed.
The report is then faxed and mailed to your referring doctor within one or two days.
Your doctor will read the report and review the findings with you.
All of your signed reports and images are available to your referring doctor on our physician’s web portal.
