MRI Heart – Routine Cardiac Examination

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) helps doctors diagnose and treat medical conditions. MRI uses a powerful magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to produce detailed pictures of organs, soft tissues, bone and virtually all other internal body structures.

Preparation

• No caffeine products for 24 hours before the test. No coffee, tea, pop (soda), chocolate, chocolate candy, chocolate cake, cookies, cocoa, chocolate milk, frosting, or pies. Even drinks or products that are labeled caffeine free should be avoided.
• No solid food by mouth for 4 hours prior to your test time.
• Nothing to eat or drink for 2 hours prior to your test.
• You may take all your routine medications, with a small amount of water, if needed.
• If you have any medication patches, nicotine patches, continuous glucose monitors, or Neulasta, you will need to remove these before having your exam.
• If you are currently breastfeeding, please do so before arriving to your appointment.
• Arrive 30 minutes prior to your scheduled appointment with an order/paperwork if your doctor has given one to you, insurance card, identification and a list of your current medications.
• You will be asked to remove all clothing and piercings, including permanent piercings, hair pins, magnetic lashes, etc. and change into a hospital-approved gown for the exam.

Considerations

• If you have metallic or electronic devices implanted in your body, you must have documentation stating what they are.
• This procedure consists of cardiac leads, and you may need a small area of your chest shaved.

Procedure

• You will be positioned on a movable examination table.
• You will be given earplugs to reduce the noise of the scanner, which can be very noisy.
• A device that contains coils may be placed around or adjacent to the area of the body being studied.
• You will be asked to remain still during the exam.
• The movable table will slide into the MRI scanner.
• Part way through the exam, the technologist will give you an injection of contrast material in a vein in your arm, and they will let you know when you will start feeling this.
• You may feel a cooling sensation in your arm from the injection.
• The technologist will then run additional scans to complete your exam.