Implementation of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in everyday cardiology practice

Abstract

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) plays an established role in the assessment of cardiac patients. In this document, the aim is to demonstrate and clarify the role of CMR in the clinical management of heart disease for general cardiologists in everyday clinical practice. This document will cover the clinical indications, prognostic values, and limitations of CMR in the diagnosis and follow-up of heart disease, including ischaemic heart disease, heart failure, cardiomyopathies, valvular heart disease, aortopathies, cardiac masses, pericardial conditions, and adult congenital heart disease. This document also provides a basic understanding of the use of different CMR sequences and how cardiac function is assessed. With the increasing number of patients with cardiac implantable electronic devices, a brief understanding and advice on the use of CMR in this growing patient population who may need a scan during their lifetime is discussed. This document outlines the clinical applications of CMR and its use in everyday clinical practice for cardiologists who are not experts in CMR.