UT Southwestern Medical Center’s Cardiac Imaging Program provides patients with comprehensive imaging and diagnostic services for disorders in the heart and its arteries, including coronary heart disease, congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, diseases of the aorta, cardiomyopathies and microvascular obstructions.

Technologies such as CT (computed tomography) scans and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used to visualize the heart and assess its functionality. These cutting-edge imaging tools allow physicians and specialists to make the most accurate diagnoses and prescribe targeted treatments and therapies.

Recently, new methods for noninvasive cardiac imaging have emerged for the diagnosis and monitoring of patients with cardiovascular disease. In particular, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) and coronary computed tomographic angiography (coronary CTA) can provide rapid, diagnostic information in patients with a wide range of cardiac disease and symptoms.

Cardiac MR provides an accurate, quantitative assessment of heart structure and function. Importantly, it does not involve the use of radiation and can provide excellent images in patients who are not well imaged using other techniques. It is particularly useful in evaluating the pericardium (lining around the heart), cardiomegaly (enlargement of the heart chambers and walls), tumors involving the heart, stenotic or regurgitant (narrowed or leaking) heart valves and the aorta. Also, it provides excellent visualization of cardiac structure and function in patients with congenital heart disease.

Coronary CTA provides information on the presence of hard (calcified) and soft (fatty, noncalcified) atherosclerotic plaque in the coronary arteries as well as an assessment of the size and function of the heart.