Cardiac MRI — Advanced Heart Imaging at CVG
Radiation-free cardiac MRI scans ordered and interpreted by CVG’s board-certified cardiologists, available across Gwinnett County and the Atlanta metro.
A cardiac MRI is an advanced, radiation-free imaging test that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create highly detailed pictures of your heart’s structure, function, and blood vessels. Unlike CT scans or X-rays, cardiac MRI does not use radiation, making it a safe option even for patients who need repeated imaging. It can detect conditions that other tests may miss, including early signs of heart muscle disease, inflammation, scarring, and congenital abnormalities.
At CVG, cardiac MRI is ordered and interpreted by our board-certified cardiologists as part of a comprehensive cardiovascular evaluation. If your CVG physician recommends a cardiac MRI, this page will walk you through what to expect, why it may be recommended, and what conditions it can identify.
What is a Cardiac MRI?
A cardiac MRI uses a strong magnetic field and radio waves to produce clear, detailed images of the heart and surrounding blood vessels, without radiation. It can be performed with or without contrast dye (gadolinium), depending on what your cardiologist needs to evaluate.
Cardiac MRI Without Contrast produces high-quality structural images of the heart’s chambers, muscle, and valves without the need for injected dye. This is the standard approach for many cardiac evaluations.
Cardiac MRI With Contrast (Gadolinium) involves injecting a small amount of gadolinium dye intravenously to enhance image clarity in specific areas. Your cardiologist will order contrast when a more detailed assessment of a particular area is needed, for example, to identify scar tissue after a heart attack or to evaluate inflammation.
Conditions Diagnosed with Cardiac MRI at CVG
Cardiomyopathy
Cardiac MRI provides a detailed assessment of heart muscle thickness, function, and fibrosis or scarring, making it one of the most accurate tools for diagnosing hypertrophic, dilated, and restrictive cardiomyopathy.
Myocarditis
Inflammation of the heart muscle (myocarditis) can be difficult to detect with other imaging methods. Cardiac MRI with gadolinium contrast can identify areas of active inflammation and tissue damage with high sensitivity.
Cardiac Amyloidosis
Cardiac MRI is one of the most effective tools for detecting amyloid deposits in the heart muscle, a key step in diagnosing this increasingly recognized condition.
Congenital Heart Disease
For patients with congenital heart conditions, cardiac MRI provides comprehensive anatomical detail that helps guide ongoing management and surgical planning.
Heart Valve Disease
Cardiac MRI can precisely measure blood flow across heart valves and assess the severity of valve leakage or narrowing, complementing echocardiographic findings in complex cases.
Enlarged Heart (Cardiomegaly)
Cardiac MRI can identify the underlying cause of cardiomegaly by assessing cardiac muscle function, fibrosis, and structural abnormalities in detail.
What to Expect During Your Cardiac MRI
Before the Scan: Your CVG cardiologist will review your medical history and any metallic implants before ordering a cardiac MRI. Most modern pacemakers and implantable devices are MRI-compatible, but your care team will confirm this in advance. You may be asked to avoid eating or drinking for a few hours before the scan, particularly if contrast dye will be used. Remove jewelry and piercings before your appointment, as metal objects interfere with MRI imaging.
During the Scan: You will lie on a padded table that slides into the MRI machine, a large, tube-shaped device. The scan is entirely painless. Small electrode pads may be placed on your chest to monitor your heart rhythm during imaging, helping synchronize image capture with your heartbeat for the clearest possible pictures.
The machine will produce loud knocking and tapping sounds during the scan; this is normal. You will be given earplugs or headphones to reduce the noise. If contrast dye is needed, it will be administered intravenously during the scan.
A cardiac MRI typically takes between 45 and 90 minutes, depending on the complexity of the evaluation and whether contrast is used. Your technician will communicate with you throughout and let you know when to hold your breath briefly for certain image sequences.
After the Scan: No recovery time is required after a standard cardiac MRI. You can resume normal activities immediately. If contrast dye was used, staying well hydrated afterward helps your body naturally clear the gadolinium. Your CVG cardiologist will review your results and discuss findings with you at a follow-up appointment.
Risks and Benefits of a Cardiac MRI
Cardiac MRI offers several clinical advantages over other imaging methods:
- Does not use radiation, safe for patients requiring repeated imaging
- Provides superior image quality for certain conditions, including cardiomyopathy and myocarditis
- Can detect abnormalities hidden behind bone that other imaging methods may miss
- Useful as a guidance tool during certain interventional procedures
- Gadolinium contrast is safe for patients with kidney disease who cannot tolerate CT contrast dye
On the other hand, there aren’t many risks involved, primarily because no radiation is used during a cardiac MRI. The main dangers are sedation medications and gadolinium dyes, as some patients may react to either. Additionally, metal can significantly disrupt the images, and some metals can heat in the presence of the MRI machine; jewelry and piercings may need to be removed prior to imaging. Most pacemakers implanted in the last 10 years are MRI compatible;, some implanted metallic devices may be a problem. It is best to tell your doctor if you have any metallic implants or metal fragments in your body.
No matter what, the radiologic technician will review the risks and benefits and answer any questions before beginning the cardiac MRI.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cardiac MRI
A cardiac MRI is used to evaluate the structure and function of the heart in detail. It is particularly useful for diagnosing cardiomyopathy, myocarditis, cardiac amyloidosis, congenital heart disease, heart valve disease, and pericardial conditions. It can also detect scar tissue from a previous heart attack and assess blood flow to the heart muscle.
A cardiac MRI needs to be ordered by a cardiologist as part of your cardiovascular evaluation. If you have been referred to CVG or are already a patient, your cardiologist will determine whether cardiac MRI is the appropriate next step for your care. Contact your nearest CVG location to schedule a consultation.
Why Choose CVG
CVG’s board-certified cardiologists order and interpret cardiac MRI as part of a comprehensive cardiovascular evaluation, integrating results with your full clinical picture to guide accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment. With access to advanced cardiac imaging and 11 locations across Gwinnett County and the Atlanta metro, CVG makes expert heart care accessible without compromising on the quality or depth of your evaluation.
CVG has been caring for Georgia patients since 1982. If your cardiologist has recommended a cardiac MRI, or if you’d like to discuss whether this imaging test is right for you, our team is here to help.
Lawrenceville (Main Office)
Buford
Loganville
2200 Medical Center Blvd, Suite 400
Lawrenceville, GA 30046
770.962.0399 | 770.290.8084
2800 Buford Drive, Suite 320
Buford, GA 30519
770.962.0399 | 770.290.8084
98 Tara Commons
Loganville, GA 30052
770.962.0399 | 770.290.8084