MRI of the heart
- Up to 250 kg
- MRI for children and adults
- Possible under anesthetic
- MRI with and without contrast agent
In cases where it is necessary to obtain detailed and accurate information about the condition of the tissues and vessels of the heart, magnetic resonance imaging is used. Cardiac MRI is a non-invasive procedure, i.e. it is performed without damaging tissue integrity. Computer processing of the obtained information allows to visualize heart muscles and vessels from different positions, as well as to estimate the speed and volume of blood flow, and other functional features of the organ. No X-rays are used during the examination, so the procedure is virtually harmless.
About the procedure
The procedure of cardiac MRI is the following.
- Before the examination, the radiologist will conduct an interview, tell the patient how to behave during the scan and find out if there are any contraindications. If necessary, the doctor prescribes a sedative to sedate the patient.
- The patient removes all metal items and lies down on the scanner table, his/her limbs are fastened with straps.
- The table is rolled into the tomograph tunnel.
- Scanning is started, during which the patient must lie still.
- When the procedure is over, the patient gets up from the table and waits for the report to be handed out or goes straight home.
Indications
The examination is prescribed by a cardiologist when there is a suspicion of:
- congenital or acquired heart disease;
- coronary artery disease;
- inflammatory disease of the pericardium or myocardium;
- ischemic disease;
- malignant or benign neoplasm;
- pathological changes in the right heart ventricle;
- myocardial tissue abnormalities and other diseases.
In addition, cardiac MRI may be needed in preparation for a surgery or to monitor recovery after an intervention.
Contraindications
It is strictly forbidden to perform cardiac MRI for people who have metal devices in their bodies, such as pacemakers, stents, clips, insulin pumps, endoprosthesis, etc. Relative contraindications include:
- the first trimester of pregnancy;
- claustrophobia;
- severe heart failure;
- an illness that makes it impossible for the patient to remain immobile.
Advantages of our clinic
Many patients choose the "Medicina" clinic for carrying out cardiac MRI because:
- we have a modern, powerful CT scanner that ensures maximum scanning accuracy;
- we have qualified radiographers with many years of experience in such examinations;
- procedures are conducted not only on weekdays, but also on weekends, so you can choose any convenient time to visit our clinic;
- JCI accreditation demonstrates that the quality of medical services conforms to the strictest international standards;
- the price of cardiac MRI is affordable to a wide range of patients.
Procedure preparation
There is no special preparation for a cardiac MRI scan beforehand.
- It is advisable to choose clothes and underwear without metallic elements for your visit to the clinic.
- All items containing metals, such as watches, jewelry, etc., should be removed before the examination.
- If you feel very anxious or frightened, it is nesessary to tell your doctor about that and he will prescribe a sedative medication.
Equipment
Our clinic uses powerful equipment, MAGNETOM Skyra, which produces a magnetic field of 3 Tesla. This apparatus is equipped with a tunnel with a diameter of 70 cm and a retractable table with a load capacity of up to 250 kg. This allows us to examine obese patients who are rejected in other clinics.
Doctors
The staff at our clinic are highly qualified radiographers of the highest category, who have worked for many years in the chosen specialty. Most of them are members of international medical societies, they participate in seminars and conferences, conduct scientific researches and publish articles in medical journals.
Prices
Our clinic maintains the most affordable prices for cardiac MRI in Moscow, which are formed taking into account the nature and characteristics of the examinations performed.
FAQ
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What does a cardiac MRI scan show?
This examination allows us to assess the condition of the heart muscle, coronary vessels, valves, ventricles and other elements, not in a stationary state, but in all phases of the contraction cycle. At the same time, blood flow parameters are assessed and vascular lesions and pathological changes are identified. It is possible to predict infarction and detect lesions in postinfarction conditions.
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How is a cardiac MRI scan done?
The procedure is performed only at the clinic, on an outpatient basis, without prior preparation, at a convenient time. The scan is painless, but you may feel some warmth in the area being scanned. During the examination, some noise can be heard and rotation of the tunnel can be observed. Cardiac MRI is completely safe and it can be prescribed for children from the age of 5.
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How long does a cardiac MRI scan take?
The examination, which is carried out without the injection of a contrast agent, takes no more than 20 minutes. When a contrast agent is used, the total procedure time is 40-50 minutes.