A new noninvasive technique is taking some of the guesswork--as well as the legwork--out of diagnosing and preventing cardiovascular diseases. According to John Heitner, MD, director of advanced cardiac imaging at New York Methodist Hospital, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as the technique is called, is truly innovative because it allows doctors to view detailed images of the heart--without having to cut open the chest or thread a catheter through the veins or arteries.

"We're very excited to be among one of the only hospitals in New York City to offer this new noninvasive technology to help diagnose and treat heart disease," said Anthony Tortolani, MD, chairman of cardiothoracic surgery. "It has so many advantages for patients. It's highly accurate, versatile, and safe", added Dr. Tortolani.

According to Dr. Heitner, "the new technology can be used to evaluate chest pain and determine if a heart attack is or has occurred--in many instances, it can be quicker and more accurate than stress testing, electrocardiograms (ECGs) or other diagnostic techniques." MRI allow cardiologists to see if larger blood vessels are blocked and if there are plaques (build-ups of fatty and other materials) in the vessels, and whether they are stable or likely to rupture and cause a heart attack in the future. Recently, too, researchers have shown cardiac MRI can create movie-like images of the beating heart, so doctors can assess damage to the heart muscle while it's moving. This can help them evaluate how well the heart is pumping blood and whether the heart lining is swollen, so they can prescribe treatments. And it can be used to follow heart patients after they've had angioplasty or surgery.

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