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Why cardiac magnetic resonance imaging will not make it
1Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Northwick Park & St. Marks Hospitals and Institute of Medical Research, Harrow, Middlesex, UK.
Insights
Magnetic resonance imaging shows promise for cardiac testing but faces limitations. High costs and limited availability hinder its widespread clinical use compared to established methods.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a leading cause of death globally.
- Current cardiac testing methods are well-established and cost-effective.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the current role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in cardiac diagnostics.
- To assess the clinical utility of cardiac MRI in comparison to existing modalities.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on cardiac MRI applications.
- Comparison of MRI with echocardiography and nuclear imaging.
Main Results:
- Cardiac MRI is promising but faces challenges like high cost and limited equipment availability.
- Lack of portable systems restricts MRI use in emergency or bedside settings.
Conclusions:
- The clinical adoption of cardiac MRI depends on overcoming cost and accessibility barriers.
- Comparative effectiveness against echocardiography and nuclear imaging will determine MRI's place in cardiology.
Abstract:
Coronary artery disease is currently the largest killer in the western world, and is estimated to become the leading cause of death worldwide by the year 2020. The question therefore is whether magnetic resonance imaging currently has a place in the already extremely well equipped armamentarium of cardiac testing. Although it is promising, its clinical use is somewhat limited by high cost and low availability of equipment and trained personnel. The absence of portable systems for cardiac application make cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in the emergency room, at the patient's bedside or in the doctor's office impossible. The comparison of the cardiac magnetic resonance imaging with proven and cost-effective techniques like echocardiography and nuclear imaging will be decisive in terms of the choice of imaging modalities in cardiology.