Chapter 8: Role of Cardiac Imaging: Cardiac Magnetic Resonance and Cardiac Computed Tomography

Cardiovascular imaging is key for the assessment of patients with heart failure. Today, both cardiac magnetic resonance and cardiac computed tomography play an established role in the assessment of patients with suspected and confirmed heart failure syndromes. In particular, cardiac magnetic resonance is of paramount importance in identifying etiology of left ventricular dysfunction. It has an increasing role in prognostic stratification and in clinical decision-making around therapy. Key strengths include its ability to characterize myocardial tissue, unrestricted field of view, lack of radiation, as well as accuracy and reproducibility. Cardiac computed tomography has become an important tool in the management of patients with congestive heart failure. Advances in scanner technology have increased its spatial and temporal resolution to unprecedented levels while resulting in decreasing radiation doses. The primary diagnostic application is in differentiation of ischemic from nonischemic etiology of left ventricular dysfunction. Its role in tissue characterization shows promise and is increasingly being studied.