Cardiac MRI - CT angiography

Cardiac MRI

The majority of cardiac MRI scans in Israel are carried out at the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer. The indications for the examination in children are diverse and include heart defects, abnormalities of major blood vessels, inflammation of the heart muscle, heart tumors, and more. 

Cardiac MRI enables the evaluation of various aspects, including:

• Assessing chamber volumes and function.
• Measuring blood flow rates in the pulmonary artery and aorta.
• Identifying late gadolinium enhancement in cases of inflammation (myocarditis) and scars in the heart muscle
• Characterizing tumors, including determining their type.
• Measuring iron levels in hematological diseases like thalassemia to assess iron deposition in tissues and determine treatment needs.
• Examining the anatomical structure using gadolinium-based contrast agents that are rapidly eliminated from the body.

MRI tests for children can be challenging due to the size of the heart, heart rate, and the requirement to stay still in the scanner for long periods. Usually, the tests are carried out with light sedation as they are not painful. We administer a sedation agent continuously through an IV, which has a relatively short duration of effect. Throughout the test, we monitor the child's heart rate, breathing rate, oxygen levels, and blood pressure. After the test, most children wake up and go back to sleep during the recovery period. Once fully awake, they can go home. If sedation is not feasible due to the child's condition, the tests are performed under general anesthesia.

CT ANGIO 

This is a technique that utilizes X-ray radiation and iodine-based contrast material injection. In recent years, there have been significant advancements in scanners, enabling minimal radiation scanning. In mid-2016, Sheba Hospital installed the world's most advanced scanner of its kind, the GE REVOLUTION, which allows imaging of the heart with minimal radiation, equivalent to 10-9 chest X-rays in an adult (note that brain CTA is approximately 100 times more radiation!). To enhance examination quality, we synchronize it with the patient's ECG and select the ideal timing based on the heartbeat. The improved scanners also facilitate a reduction in contrast material usage. CTA examinations are typically performed when a child's condition is unstable or when high-resolution anatomical details are required, which may not be achievable with MRI scanning. Each chest examination in a child lasts approximately half a second and is typically carried out with the support of a dedicated pediatric cardiology team or under sedation.