Cardiac MRI: Powerfully Clear Imaging to Identify Heart Issues 

Written by Bryan Heart Cardiologist, John Steuter, MD

In the last 10 years cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has emerged as a tool to better visualize the heart and define abnormal disease states. This minimally invasive procedure does not involve radiation and delivers unparalleled image quality. Cardiac MRI offers new levels of specificity in the diagnosis and management of heart care.

Cardiac MRI provides accurate assessment of:

• Cardiac masses
• Visualization of congenital abnormalities
• Evaluation of ventricular and valvular function
• Characterization of the aorta and pulmonary veins 

Cardiac MRI is becoming recognized as both a "gold standard" for heart tissue viability and assessment of left ventricular function. 

In addition, Cardiac MRI allows for heart tissue classification. In a large basket of ill-defined disease processes, cardiac MRI allows cardiologists to identify the cause. This has proven to be extremely powerful in defining a certain type of heart disease called nonischemic cardiomyopathy, which has historically been under evaluated. 

Cardiac MRI Provides Clearer Results to Treat Patients

Cardiac MRI can aid in the treatment of your patients with the following indications:

• Coronary artery disease
• Cardiac masses and thrombi
• Pericardial abnormalities
• Cardiomyopathy
• Congenital cardiac disease
• Arrhythmia
• Aortic disease

Normal heart: four chamber image

At-risk heart: Image designed to look for scar in the left ventricle myocardium. The bright line in the dark myocardium identifies scarring that has taken place from a myocardial infarction.

Cardiac MRIs Available at Bryan Heart

At Bryan Heart, we are proud to offer our patients the gold standard cardiac MRI for accurate assessment and diagnosis for treatment. For more information on this technology or to refer a patient, call 402-483-3333.