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Ron Peshock, M.D. Answers Questions On: Cardiac MRI
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Is cardiac MRI used for diagnosis or in a patient’s ongoing care?
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It’s valuable on both levels. It’s a tool that can help us a great deal in diagnosing patients with heart issues. It can tell us whether it’s due to atherosclerosis or some other process, and how much it’s impacting the heart’s function. Then, on an ongoing basis, cardiac MRI allows us to follow patients over time to see if they’re responding to therapy.
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What’s the difference between a cardiac MRI and another type of MRI?
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From a patient’s perspective, the cardiac MRI process is the same as with any other type of MRI, except that we place electrocardiogram (ECG) patches on the chest. This allows us to gain additional information about the heart, so we can image the motion of the heart and blood flow.
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What should patients expect before a cardiac MRI?
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Most patients are pretty familiar with MRI because they’ve seen it on television or know someone who has had one. It’s an excellent technique for looking at the soft tissues in the body. Since the MRI machine uses a high-strength magnet, it is important that you discuss any devices or implants, such as a pacemaker, with your doctor. A typical cardiac MRI can take up to an hour.