Ochsner Offers Non-Invasive Heart Imaging

Added on Jun 27, 2007 | Filed Under:

Cardiovascular MRI benefits patients with heart failure and congenital heart disease

NEW ORLEANS Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a well-recognized medium for providing detailed images of brain, spinal cord, and joints, now has a specialized component just for the heart. Ochsner is offering cardiovascular MRI, a new imaging technique that provides physicians with detailed, and potentially life-saving, images in a non-invasive way. The greatest benefit of cardiovascular MRI is its ability to show definition in the heart and lung anatomy; to measure cardiac function, and differentiate heart tissues, without radiation exposure, says Dr. Sangeeta Shah, Ochsner Cardiologist and Director of Cardiovascular MRI. MRI can now be used to compliment the current modalities used in assessing heart disease. Dr. Shah goes on to explain, We are able to use the images from the cardiovascular MRI to diagnosis and determine treatment for numerous diseases such as coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, valvular heart disease, heart tumors and congenital heart disease. In the greater New Orleans region, Ochsner has used the cardiovascular MRI to diagnose over 300 neonates, children and adults since the fall of 2005. Most adults and children can undergo cardiac MRI; however, its important to talk to your doctor to determine if you could benefit from this test. For more information on cardiovascular MRI, contact the Ochsner Department of Cardiology at (504) 842-4135 or visit www.scmr.org. * Digital images are available upon request. Ochsner Health System (www.ochsner.org) is a non-profit, academic, multi-specialty, healthcare delivery system dedicated to patient care, research and education. The system includes seven hospitals, a sub-acute facility, and 33 health centers located throughout Southeast Louisiana. Through our unique coordinated system, Ochsner provides healthcare with peace of mind because we put the needs of all patients first. Ochsner employs over 600 physicians in 80 medical specialties and subspecialties and conducts over 700 ongoing clinical research trials annually. Ochsner was ranked #1Best Place to Work by New Orleans CityBusiness Magazine in 2005 and 2006 and received the Consumer Choice for Healthcare in New Orleans for 12 consecutive years.

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