Cardiovascular magnetic resonance parametric techniques to characterize myocardial effects of anthracycline therapy in adults with normal left ventricular ejection fraction: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The cardiotoxic effects of anthracyclines therapy are well recognized, both in the short and long term. Echocardiography allows monitoring of cancer patients treated with this class of drugs by serial assessment of left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) as a surrogate of systolic function. However, changes in myocardial function may occur late in the process when cardiac damage is already established.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance: What clinicians should know about safety and contraindications.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (MR) is a multiparametric, non-ionizing, non-invasive imaging technique, which represents the imaging gold standard to study cardiac anatomy, function and tissue characterization. Faced with a wide range of clinical application, in this review we aim to provide a comprehensive guide for clinicians about MR safety, contraindications and image quality. Starting from the physical interactions of the static magnetic fields, gradients and radiofrequencies with the human body, we will describe the most common metal and electronic devices which are allowed (MR-safe), allowed under limited conditions (MR-conditional) or contraindicated (MR-unsafe).