Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the heart

Through the latest 8 channel surface coil technology, cardiac diagnostics has once again been significantly improved in terms of image quality and expressiveness. Alongside the representation of the full heart anatomy including the coronary arteries, the working of the heart is also displayed excellently as a film. The perfusion examination of the heart carried out during endurance enables a highly accurate display of possible underlying circulatory disorders in different parts of the heart.

At the moment this is the most accurate method for recognising relevant narrowing of coronary heart vessels (stenosis), which must then be treated with a cardiac catheter (e.g. widening or stent).
The perfusion during endurance examination has the big advantage of avoiding unnecessary cardiac catheter examinations. Furthermore, after the administering of contrast agents, scars in the heart muscle e.g. after inflammation or a heart attack are easily recognisable.

Equipment information

  • High-end MRI "Philips Ingenia 1.5T"
  • High-field MRI "Philips Panorama 1.0T"
Process of examination

Before the examination

Before the examination starts, you will have to take off all metallic objects. These include also watches, hearing aids as well as cheque or credit cards. Metal parts in the body, for example fixed dentures, joint prostheses or metal plates after the operation of a fracture normally do not represent a problem. Please inform the staff if you have any metal-containing parts, in particular

  • vessel supports such as stents
  • vascular clips
  • a prosthetic heart valve
  • an insulin pump
  • metal fragments
  • tattoos

Since malfunctions may occur in the magnetic field, patients with cardiac pacemakers are excluded from the examination as are patients with inner ear prostheses (cochlear implants).

During the examination

During the examination, you are lying on a bench that is slowly moving into the opening of the system, that is in the direction of the magnet, in the beginning. You will then be completely or - for example during an examination of the knee joint - in part inside the system.
Magnet fields that are switched on and off create a relatively loud tapping noise that some patients find a nuisance. Therefore, you will get earplugs or a closed ear-protective device; you will often be able to hear music during the examination. Depending on the region of the body examined and on the problem, the examination will take a few minutes or up to half an hour.

Administration of a contrast agent

It may be necessary during an examination in the magnetic resonance imaging scanner to give you an injection of a special contrast medium. The injection is made into a systemic vein. The intravenous line is put in accordingly before examination.

Open magnetic resonance imaging

In addition to our conventional magnetic resonance imaging scanner, an open magnetic resonance imaging scanner (high-field MRI Philips Panorama) has been available to private patients and self-pay patients at the private practice "Open MRT ATOS Klinik" since September 2010. The practice is situated very near to Radiologische Gemeinschaftspraxis at Schneidmühlstr. 21.

The examination in the Panorama device constitutes a comfortable alternative for all patients, in particular for persons with

  • claustrophobia,
  • limited mobility,
  • overweight.

For more information on the open MRI, please visit: How an Open MRI works

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