Cardiac MRI

Leading Cardiac Imaging Specialists on Long Island

Cardiac MRI at Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology provides detailed, noninvasive insight into the heart’s anatomy, function, and tissue characteristics that cannot be seen with other imaging modalities. This advanced exam evaluates heart muscle health, blood flow, and cardiac performance with exceptional clarity, supporting accurate diagnosis and treatment planning. Our dedicated Cardiac MRI department works closely with your cardiologist to ensure seamless communication, precise interpretation, and personalized care, delivering the critical information needed to confidently manage your heart health.

ZP's cutting-edge imaging systems include 3T and 1.5T Wide Bore MRI, providing superb detail and resolution with the fastest exam times. ZP utilizes the latest advancements in MRI from Siemens Healthineers.

What is Cardiac MRI?

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance (CMR) is an advanced form of magnetic resonance imaging that has become very useful for evaluating many cardiovascular conditions. It is used to assess the anatomy, function, and viability of the heart, and can be useful for detecting ischemia and infarction. It can also be helpful for studying valve dysfunction, heart failure, congenital heart disease, masses in and around the heart, and the presence of inherited diseases.

What are the advantages of Cardiac MRI?

Thanks to new technological advancements, such as gated techniques, MRI has become very useful for evaluating many cardiovascular conditions. Gated MRI techniques synchronize image acquisition with the cardiac cycle to minimize motion and reduce imaging artifacts. By capturing images at precise moments in the heartbeat, gated MRI provides clearer, more accurate visualization of the heart’s structure and function.

Cardiac MRI provides greater sensitivity for soft tissue than an echocardiogram, and is the most accurate test for calculating a patient’s ejection fraction, the measure of the percentage of blood pumped out of the heart each time it contracts. This test can provide unique information with regards to scarring, viability and masses. Soft tissue detail is also superior to computed tomography (CT) scanning. It might be used to further evaluate pathology identified by other imaging modalities. The absence of ionizing radiation is also an advantage, particularly in young patients and in those requiring multiple scans to follow their condition.

Who can benefit from Cardiac MRI?

A Cardiac MRI may be recommended for patients with:

Cardiovascular anatomical anomalies, such as congenital defects.
Tumors.
Coronary artery disease.
Cardiomyopathy.
Myocarditis, or covid-induced myocarditis.
A history of a heart attack.
Cardiac arrhythmia.
An enlarged heart, or thickening of the heart muscle.
Hemochromatosis.
Sarcoid.

How does Cardiac MRI work?

Unlike some other forms of medical imaging, cardiac MRI does not expose you to any radiation. Instead, it uses a magnet and radio waves to create high-quality images of your heart on a computer.

During a cardiac MRI exam, we utilize CINE images to demonstrate detailed “live action” phases of the cardiac cycle, while providing an accurate depiction of function and ejection fraction. A cardiac MRI helps us to tell how well the parts of the heart are working, including chambers, valves, and muscles, while visualizing how your blood is moving.

How do I prepare for a Cardiac MRI exam?

If you are receiving IV CONTRAST for your exam, have nothing to eat 1 hour prior to your exam time. You may drink clear liquids (example: water, ginger ale, apple juice).

Because the MRI system uses a very powerful magnet, there are many items that cannot be brought into the exam room. Although a private locker will be provided, it is best to leave certain items at home or with someone during your MRI exam, including:

Cell phones, pagers, iPads, or any other electronic device
Credit cards, driver’s license, and any other card with a magnetic strip
Loose change
Bobby pins, safety pins or any other item with metallic pieces
Any loose metallic items on clothing or body
Glasses, hearing aids and items such as TENS Units will not be able to go into the exam room, but can be worn until just before entering the MRI room

Wear comfortable loose-fitting clothes, such as a sweatsuit. Be sure there are no metal zippers, snaps or buckles. Do not wear earrings, hairpins, or jewelry. Do not apply eye shadow or mascara.

This exam may not be performed if you have a cardiac pacemaker, cerebral aneurysm clips or a metallic hearing implant. If you are a sheet metal worker or have ever had metal fragments in your eye(s), an orbit x-ray will be taken prior to your MRI exam.

What happens during a Cardiac MRI exam?

After checking in, you will be escorted to a changing room. You will then meet the registered MRI technologist who will be performing your exam. The technologist will review the screening questionnaire and the procedure with you, answering any questions you may have.

When you are ready, you will be asked to lie down on the cushioned MRI table. Many MRI exams require the use of a coil, which is placed on or around the body part being scanned. The coil is a lightweight device that acts as an antenna to receive the radio frequency signal coming out of your body. That data is then transmitted to a computer, which will then generate the images. If it has been determined that your study requires the use of a contrast material (or dye), the technologist or nurse will perform the injection and administer the iodine-free contrast. Please let the staff know if you have any allergies

The table will slowly move into position within the large doughnut-shaped magnet. We provide you with noise-canceling headphones and your choice of music, as you will hear a series of loud thumping noises as the scan is performed. With our modern MRI systems, most exams are over in 3 songs! We ask that you keep very still to help ensure that the images come out clear. Throughout the entire exam, you will be able to communicate with the technologist through an intercom. An Cardiac MRI exam can take anywhere from 45 to 60 minutes, depending on the specific type of study.

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Why Choose Zwanger-Pesiri?

Zwanger-Pesiri Radiology brings world-class expertise to the Long Island community. Our subspecialty-trained radiologists are Board Certified by the American Board of Radiology with fellowship training in a variety of specialties. They are highly-skilled, highly-knowledgeable, and make patient care a priority. To learn more, contact us today.