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precise and gentle

Cardiac diagnostics

Cardiac CT and Cardiac MRI: State-of-the-art imaging techniques for comprehensive, non-invasive diagnosis of the heart.

overview

What is cardiac imaging?

Heart conditions such as narrowing of the coronary arteries, heart muscle inflammation, or structural heart defects can now be examined precisely and non-invasively using radiological imaging techniques—without the risks associated with invasive cardiac catheterization.

Our practices offer two specialized procedures for this purpose: cardiac CT (cardio-CT, CCTA) for visualizing the coronary arteries and calcium deposits, and cardiac MRI for assessing heart function, muscle, and tissue (without X-rays).

Both procedures complement each other: depending on the clinical question, our radiologists recommend the appropriate examination or a combination of both.

Indications

When is cardiac imaging recommended?

Suspected coronary heart disease
  • Diagnosis of coronary artery disease in cases of symptoms such as chest pain or exertional dyspnoea.
Limescale deposits
  • Calcium scoring for risk stratification in patients with elevated cardiovascular risk factors.
Bypass check
  • Non-invasive assessment of bypass vessels or coronary stenoses following intervention.
Myocarditis
  • Diagnosis and monitoring of myocarditis or cardiomyopathies.
Heart function
  • Accurate measurement of ejection fraction, wall motion abnormalities and cardiac volumes.
Congenital heart defects
  • Anatomical assessment of congenital heart defects – including prior to surgery.

Our research

Both cardiac CT and cardiac MRI play an important role in modern cardiac diagnostics.

correctly diagnosed

A cardiac CT scan or a cardiac MRI?

The choice between a cardiac CT scan and a cardiac MRI depends on the specific clinical question and the patient’s symptoms. Both of these modern imaging techniques provide valuable and complementary information for the diagnosis of heart disease. While cardiac CT is particularly well-suited for the rapid, high-resolution visualization of the coronary arteries, cardiac MRI offers a comprehensive analysis of heart function and the heart muscle—all without any radiation exposure.

Cardiac CT, also known as coronary CT angiography (CCTA), is primarily used to detect narrowing or calcification of the coronary arteries. Thanks to state-of-the-art CT technology, calcium deposits can be precisely visualized and the risk of coronary heart disease assessed at an early stage. Monitoring stents or bypasses and evaluating the aorta are also common applications. The examination typically takes only about 15 minutes and is considered a gentle, non-invasive alternative to cardiac catheterization.

Cardiac MRI, on the other hand, enables a particularly detailed examination of heart function, the heart muscle, and the surrounding tissue—without any X-ray radiation. Magnetic resonance imaging of the heart is ideal for diagnosing heart muscle inflammation (myocarditis), heart failure, or congenital heart defects. In addition, so-called viability diagnostics (LGE) can be used to assess whether heart muscle tissue is still viable or already damaged. The examination usually takes between 45 and 60 minutes.

Both cardiac CT and cardiac MRI play an important role in modern cardiac diagnostics. Which procedure is appropriate in each individual case depends on the symptoms, medical history, and diagnostic goal. A personalized consultation with experienced cardiologists or radiologists helps in selecting the optimal examination for a precise diagnosis and targeted treatment.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about cardiac imaging

A cardiac CT scan (also known as a cardio-CT or computed tomography of the heart) is a modern imaging technique that can be considered a minimally invasive and reliable alternative to cardiac catheterization. Unlike cardiac catheterization, a cardiac CT scan can be performed on an outpatient basis and is non-invasive, meaning it does not require the insertion of a catheter.

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