Can Cardiac MRI and Cardiac CT Replace Other Imaging Technologies?
Despite its advantages, these tests are not a substitute for other imaging techniques in all cardiovascular conditions. Unlike an echocardiogram machine, the MRI and CT scanners cannot be brought to the bedside of an acutely ill patient. Nonetheless, as previously mentioned, Cardiac MRI is already being used more and more as the examination of choice in certain settings (e.g. assessment of myocardial viability). In addition, early success with non-invasive angiography of coronary arteries based on advanced Cardiac CT techniques has led to its routine application in certain settings (e.g. coronary artery bypass graft patency evaluation, detection of anomalous coronary arteries, and clarification of equivocal results from other screening exams for coronary disease). These tests have already become an integral part of the evaluation of patients with various forms of cardiovascular disease as promising new versions continue to develop.
