Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 12, 2026

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance for the Evaluation of Suspected Cardiac Thrombus: Conventional and Emerging Techniques
Published on: June 11, 2019
Computed Tomography and Cardiac Magnetic Resonance in Ischemic Heart Disease
Marc R Dweck1, Michelle C Williams2, Alastair J Moss2
1Translational and Molecular Imaging Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York; Centre for Cardiovascular Science, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom.
Insights
Advanced imaging techniques like computed tomography (CT) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) can now track ischemic heart disease throughout a patient
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Ischemic heart disease (IHD) stems from coronary atherosclerosis, impacting the left ventricle.
- IHD presents with a long preclinical phase, myocardial infarction, and chronic conditions like angina and cardiomyopathy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of advanced imaging in tracking ischemic heart disease across its disease spectrum.
- To highlight the complementary capabilities of computed tomography (CT) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) in IHD assessment.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing computed tomography (CT) for noninvasive coronary artery imaging.
- Employing cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for detailed assessment of myocardial perfusion, viability, and function.
Main Results:
- CT is the preferred noninvasive method for coronary artery visualization.
- CMR provides in-depth analysis of myocardial health and cardiac function.
- Emerging data from randomized controlled trials support the clinical utility of CT and CMR.
Conclusions:
- CT and CMR enable comprehensive, lifetime tracking of ischemic heart disease.
- Further evidence on clinical efficacy and cost-effectiveness is needed for widespread adoption of cardiac CT and CMR.
Abstract:
Ischemic heart disease is a complex disease process caused by the development of coronary atherosclerosis, with downstream effects on the left ventricular myocardium. It is characterized by a long preclinical phase, abrupt development of myocardial infarction, and more chronic disease states such as stable angina and ischemic cardiomyopathy. Recent advances in computed tomography (CT) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) now allow detailed imaging of each of these different phases of the disease, potentially allowing ischemic heart disease to be tracked during a patient's lifetime. In particular, CT has emerged as the noninvasive modality of choice for imaging the coronary arteries, whereas CMR offers detailed assessments of myocardial perfusion, viability, and function. The clinical utility of these techniques is increasingly being supported by robust randomized controlled trial data, although the widespread adoption of cardiac CT and CMR will require further evidence of clinical efficacy and cost effectiveness.
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