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Cardiac imaging in patients with acute or chronic heart failure
Giorgio Faganello1, Sara Doimo2,3, Concetta DI Nora2,3
1Cardiovascular Center, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Integrata di Trieste, Trieste, Italy - giorgio.faganello@asuits.sanita.fvg.it.
Insights
Advanced imaging techniques are crucial for diagnosing heart failure (HF). Integrating echocardiography with cardiovascular magnetic resonance, PET, and CT offers comprehensive patient care and requires specialized training for effective use.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Imaging
- Heart Failure Diagnostics
Background:
- Imaging plays a vital role in diagnosing and managing heart failure (HF).
- Echocardiography is a primary tool for assessing left ventricular and valvular function in HF patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the evolving role of cardiovascular imaging in heart failure diagnosis and management.
- To highlight the increasing integration of advanced imaging modalities alongside echocardiography.
Main Methods:
- Review of current literature on cardiovascular imaging techniques for heart failure.
- Discussion of echocardiography, cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), positron emission tomography (PET), and computed tomography (CT).
Main Results:
- Echocardiography remains essential but advanced techniques like CMR, PET, and CT provide complementary diagnostic information.
- These modalities are increasingly integrated into clinical decision-making for both acute and chronic heart failure.
Conclusions:
- The appropriate utilization of diverse imaging tools in heart failure care presents a future challenge for cardiovascular specialists.
- Adequate training on the strengths and limitations of each imaging technique is essential for cardiologists and physicians.
Abstract:
In recent years, imaging techniques have revolutionized the diagnosis of heart failure (HF) and they are indispensable for clinical decision-making in patients with acute and chronic HF. Echocardiography remains a first-line test in HF and continues to provide valuable information on left ventricular and valvular function. However, there is increasing evidence to integrate imaging modalities such as cardiovascular magnetic resonance, positron emission tomography and computed tomography, in the clinical care. In the future, a need on appropriate utilization of the different tools will raise and it will represent a challenge for cardiovascular specialists. Cardiologists and physicians will require an adequate training, knowing strengths and limitations of all these imaging techniques.