Optimization of the Cardio-MRI study protocol in critical patients

Abstract

Magnetic resonance imaging is a reliable and mature method for almost all organs and systems of the human body. The heart has been for years the most difficult organ to visualize due to its continuous movement. But, following the exceptional advances in technology in this sector, today it is possible to perform a complete evaluation of the heart, giving the possibility of studying the morphology, function and pathophysiology of the heart in an extremely precise way, thus making it possible to diagnose many entities cardiac pathologies. An examination of the heart in Magnetic Resonance, however, generally requires a high level of patient collaboration necessary to acquire images as free of artifacts as possible, and it is for this reason that certain conditions still exist in non-cooperative patients which in fact represent real contraindications to the Magnetic Resonance method. Nonetheless, making the most of the high performance of the equipment and optimizing the technical development of the study protocols, even in critically ill patients, an adequate performance of cardiac imaging with Magnetic Resonance is becoming increasingly possible.