Cardiac imaging is the set of non-invasive techniques used to diagnose the health or disease of the heart. They are characterized by being performed in a way that we call “non-invasive”, that is, procedures in which no instruments are used to cut or physically penetrate the skin or the body.
There are different techniques for a more accurate diagnosis of heart pathologies, either to rule out such diseases or to prevent the disease. They are mainly echocardiography, coronary CT and cardiac MRI, all of them in their different modalities.
Techniques for diagnosing heart disease
Echocardiography is the fundamental technique and is similar to those performed on pregnant women to see the baby. Coronary CT is similar to a CT scan of any organ and can be used to analyze in detail the coronary arteries, which are the arteries that nourish the heart. Finally, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging allows us to approach the state and function of the heart more precisely than echocardiography, which is necessary in some clinical scenarios.
These tests are performed in a very comfortable way for the patient and with no or minimal risk and, correctly applied, the diagnosis of most heart diseases can be established. In the same way, it can confirm that the heart is healthy.
Unlike ultrasound scans, conventional echocardiography does not require any prior preparation. However, in the case of stress echocardiography or transesophageal echocardiography, as well as coronary CT and cardiac MRI, you will receive a series of simple instructions from your physician before the test is performed.
Depending on the type of patient and his or her clinical history, the specialist will indicate one or more tests, depending on the needs of each individual. Echocardiography should be performed by an experienced cardiologist, preferably accredited by the Spanish Society of Cardiology or the European Society of Cardiology. Coronary CT and cardiac MRI should be interpreted by a cardiologist and a radiologist, so that the results provide optimal guidance as to what is happening to the person.