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Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Cardiac MRI provides valuable information about the heart and its function. It can be used to, for example, diagnose myocarditis and assess the causes of heart failure and arrhythmia. Cardiac MRI scans are performed at Mehiläinen Töölö in Helsinki.
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in brief
- A specialist’s referral is required for a cardiac MRI scan.
- A cardiac MRI can show changes that cannot be distinguished by a conventional ultrasound examination.
- Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is safe and painless and no radiation is used.
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Cardiac MRI is not the primary method of cardiac examination, although it does play an important role in cardiac imaging. A cardiac MRI can show changes that cannot be distinguished by a conventional ultrasound examination.
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging can be used to examine:
- The underlying causes of unclear heart problems. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is used in particular to examine the causes behind an unclear heart failure, left ventricular dysfunction and cardiac arrhythmia of unknown origin.
- The structure of the heart. It can also be used to investigate cardiac anatomy and post-operative problems in structural abnormalities.
- Heart valve leakage and flow velocities. Magnetic resonance imaging can be used to measure the leakage and flow velocities of heart valves. It is particularly useful for assessing, for example, the aortic valve structure, leakage and possible thoracic aortic dilatation.
- The size and function of the heart chambers. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging can be used to reliably measure the size and function of the heart chambers with unrestricted visibility. It can also be used to reliably assess local motion disturbances and wall thicknesses if the thickening or thinning of the heart structure is not visible with sufficient accuracy on an ultrasound.
- Swelling of the myocardium, scarring and inflammatory changes. It is possible to distinguish recent swelling of the myocardium, for example, in connection with an infarction or inflammation, precisely by MRI. Contrast medium-enhanced post-operative images of the myocardium can distinguish lesions such as scars and inflammatory changes (myocardial infarction, myocarditis, sarcoidosis and accumulation diseases such as amyloidosis).
A specialist’s referral is required for a cardiac MRI
A specialist’s referral is always required for a cardiac MRI scan. A cardiologist is a specialised physician who is able to provide a reliable assessment of the need for imaging.
Obstacles to cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
A cardiac MRI may not be possible if you have:
- a pacemaker
- an electrical implant, e.g. an ear implant
- a metallic foreign body object, e.g. a metal chip in the eye
- a rare kidney disease.
Cardiac MRI process
The cardiac MRI team consists of radiographers experienced in cardiac imaging and an experienced radiologist from Mehiläinen.
Please arrive approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled time for the MRI. You should reserve about an hour for the entire examination.
Prior to the examination, you will be given a patient information form, which must be completed to ensure the safety of the MRI scan. Remove any jewellery and piercings before the examination.
The radiographer will go through the patient information form and the examination procedure with you before the MRI.
During the examination, you are given an intravenous gadolinium contrast medium, which allows for an accurate scan.
Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging is performed with the Siemens Avanto Fit scanner at Mehiläinen Töölö. During an MRI scan, you will be instructed to lie on your back and remain still during the imaging process.
During the scan, the machine makes loud noises. To protect hearing, headphones are provided, with which breathing instructions are also provided. Because of breathing instructions, a cardiac MRI scan also usually takes a little longer than an MRI scan of other parts of the body.
You will have a button in your hand at all times during the scan, which can be pressed for immediate contact with the nurse performing the scan. The imaging can also be interrupted at any time.
Cardiac MRI report
The cardiac MRI requires post-processing and measurements, so it can sometimes take longer than normal to obtain a radiological report. However, you can usually get a report on the same day.
Take into account in the price list
There is no separate outpatient clinic fee for imaging examinations. MRI scans conducted in magnetic trucks follow the pricing of magnetic resonance examinations.| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Magnetic resonance imaging | from 379,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Magnetic resonance imaging with contrast | from 499,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Ultra-wide magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate | from 715,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Service | Price |
|---|---|
| Magnetic resonance imaging | from 479,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Magnetic resonance imaging with contrast | from 499,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Ultra-wide magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate | from 715,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
| Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Available at the Töölö clinic in Helsinki. | from 880,00 € No Kela reimbursement |
Read more about MRI scansPrices
See also these imaging examinations
Frequently asked questions about cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
During a cardiac MRI, a strong magnetic field and a contrast agent are used to form an image of the heart. In an MRI scan, you lie still in a tubular imaging device.
During the scan, the machine makes loud noises. To protect hearing, headphones are provided, with which breathing instructions are also provided. Because of breathing instructions, a cardiac MRI scan also usually takes a little longer than an MRI scan of other parts of the body.
You should reserve about an hour for a cardiac MRI. Please arrive approximately 15 minutes before the scheduled time.
A specialist’s referral is always required for a cardiac MRI scan. A cardiologist is a specialised physician who is able to provide a reliable assessment of the need for imaging.
The Mehiläinen procedure team can be reached on +358 (0)10 414 0300 (local network rate/mobile charge).
