[Clinical Application of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging in a Tertiary Referral Hospital in China].

Objectives: To review clinical application of cardiac magnetic resonace (CMR) imaging in a tertiary hospital.

Methods: A total of 344 medical records were reviewed in relation to the use of CMR imaging over one year period in a tertiary hospital in China. Data regarding indications for CMR imaging, cardiac structure and function, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE), and diagnoses made from CMR imaging were extracted and examined.

Results: Detection of heart failure and cardiomyopathies was the most common reason for CMR imaging requests [164 (47.7%) of requests], which was followed by diagnoses of coronary artery disease [79 (23.0%) of requests] and ventricular arrhythmia [65 (18.9%) of requests]. Quantitative analyses were made in 319 (92.7%) cases, with 208 (65.2%) patients being identified with ventricular dilatation and 46 (14.4%) patients being identified with right ventricular dilatation. Apart from 74 (21.5%) cases for which a confirmed diagnosis could not be obtained, CMR imaging assessment corrected 21.2% (73 patients) and confirmed 57.3% (197 patients) of initial referral diagnoses.

Conclusions: CMR imaging is mainly used for structural and functional assessments of hearts, which can help identify abnormalities that are not detected by other imaging modalities. It can provide incremental diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic information.