Cardiac imaging

Many heart problems can be quickly recognized on an image. But what options are there for taking a picture of the heart? Find out more here.

Imaging of the heart is the basis of the diagnostic process for all cardiology patients. It includes the most important and most frequently used procedures: cardiac ultrasound (echocardiography; see separate topic), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT). Over the last 20 years, great progress has been made in this field, which has meant that many diagnoses can be made using imaging techniques rather than invasive procedures (e.g. cardiac catheterization), which is generally gentler and less stressful for patients.

The MRI is a "whole-body tube" open at the top and bottom, which can take images of the heart with the help of magnetic fields and therefore without radiation exposure. In addition to imaging the blood flow, it has the advantage of perfectly differentiating the structure of the heart muscle and thus detecting inflammation, scars and infiltrative processes, among other things. Sometimes it can be used as an alternative or complementary to echocardiography in patients with reduced sound quality (e.g. due to a pre-operated chest wall, severe obesity, etc.). MRI is also one of the best methods today for imaging the aorta and congenital heart defects - without radiation!

If you want to explicitly assess the coronary vessels or the aorta, CT is best suited for this. This is a semi-open tube and therefore generally unproblematic for patients with claustrophobia. During the CT scan, X-ray radiation (very low radiation dose) is used to take tomographic images of the heart, which usually also requires a small dose of iodine-containing contrast agent. This shows the exact anatomy of the coronary arteries as well as calcified and/or soft plaques, which can lead to narrowing (so-called stenosis) of the vessels and thus circulatory problems. The calcium score is calculated, which can be used to classify the vascular condition as mildly, moderately or severely calcified.

The type of diagnostic method that is most suitable in each case is determined during the cardiology consultation by the examining cardiologist together with the patient. The HerzGefässZentrum Im Park team is at your side with help and advice from the preliminary consultation to the examination and any follow-up care. This means that you are always in the best hands with us.