Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Te

CARDIOVASCULAR MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI) TESTING
Types of Cardiovascular MRI Exams Performed:
• MRI scan for cardiac function and morphology
• MRI scan for myocardial perfusion imaging
• MRI scan for myocardial stress imaging
• MRA scan for aorta morphology
• MRI scan for phase contrast velocity flow mapping
• MRI scan for cardiac tagging
About Cardiovascular MRI Scans
UAB has two dedicated MRI scanners, with optimized cardiac imaging packages for
generating images of the heart, located in the first floor of the Boshell Diabetes Building
(1808 7th Avenue South, Birmingham, AL 35233). These various tests can be performed on
outpatients as well as hospitalized inpatients. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR)
technology is used for evaluation of the heart’s chambers, including providing accurate
measurements of chamber volumes, evaluation of the pericardium (the sac that surrounds
the heart), and performing valve analysis, including assessments of flow and regurgitation.
The technique can also be used to visualize major blood vessels, including their size and
blood flow through them. This technology can be a useful tool in evaluating patients with
a variety of cardiovascular conditions, including complex congenital heart disease (heart
conditions present at birth).
CMR technology is noninvasive, meaning that no incisions are required and no instruments
are inserted into the body (other than a needle, for certain types of tests). The scanners do
not use radiation, instead making use of radiofrequency energy pulses to generate images.
The patient may be asked to change into a gown to ensure no metal is present. Once
patients are screened, they will enter the MRI suite and will be asked to lie flat on their
back on the exam table, where they are connected to the ECG cable. If gadolinium contrast
(a special type of “dye”) is ordered for the test, the patient will need to be connected to
an intravenous (IV) line using a small needle, and the dye is injected into the bloodstream
through the IV line. The patient is then moved into the bore of the machine, and the scan is