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Department of Nuclear Medicine

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Evaluation of structural heart diseases

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enables a detailed representation of the anatomy of the myocardium and the valves as well as a comprehensive assessment of the heart function. Tissue characterization can also be carried out by administering contrast media containing gadolinium.

We provide a state-of-the-art MR and a combined PET / MR service for cardiac imaging in our Schlieren facility. The MRI is particularly suitable for

Assessment of the morphology and function of the heart diagnosis

  • Assessment of genetic and acquired diseases of the heart muscle such as arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and many others
  • Identification of vital and scarred heart muscle tissue after a heart attack
  • Assessment of the functionality of the heart valves (stenosis insufficiency)
  • Detection of inflammation of the heart muscle and the pericardium (myocarditis and perimyocarditis, Figure 6)
  • Assessment of cardiac storage diseases (e.g. iron overload cardiomyopathy, Fabry disease, etc.)

Finally, cardiac MRI can also be used to assess cardiac blood flow, especially when SPECT or PET are not an option.

Herz-Magnetresonanztomographie (MRI)
35-year-old patient with unexplained chest pain. The late recordings after the administration of contrast agent show a persistent accumulation in the outer part of the heart muscle (light area, red arrow), corresponding to a circumscribed scarring as a result of an inflammation of the myocardium. On the other hand, the remaining parts of the heart muscle remain black and are therefore not affected. Right: 70-year-old patient with coronary artery disease and bypass surgery. Here, the late images after contrast medium also show a persistent enrichment, but in the inner part of the heart muscle (light area, red arrow). This correponds to scars after a heart attack. It can be seen on the image, that the scar does not extend to the outermost parts of the heart muscle, so the scar is not transmural.

Please note that it is not possible to perform a cardiac examination using an MRI in Schlieren with a pacemaker or an implanted defibrillator. Likewise, the patients should not suffer from claustrophobia. If you have questions please call us.

Due to the variety of modalities, the choice of the optimal imaging for the individual patient is not always easy. Please do not hesitate to contact us directly if you have any questions or concerns (direct medical hotline via +41 44 255 15 01).

Patient information

Cardiac MR examination

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Cardiac MR examination including stress testing

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Heart PET/CT or PET/MR Scan with 13N-NH3 (Ammonia)

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Responsible doctors

Philipp Kaufmann, Prof. Dr. med.

Director of the Department of Nuclear Medicine, Department of Nuclear Medicine
Director USZ Airport - The Circle, Department of Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear Medicine Physician, Department of Nuclear Medicine
Cardiologist, Department of Nuclear Medicine
Internist, Department of Nuclear Medicine

Specialties: Cardiac Imaging (PET, SPECT, CT, MRI)
Tel. +41 44 255 41 96
Mail pak@usz.ch

Ronny Ralf Büchel, PD Dr. med.

Senior Attending Physician, Department of Nuclear Medicine
Deputy Clinic Director , Department of Nuclear Medicine
Nuclear Medicine Physician, Department of Nuclear Medicine
Cardiologist, Department of Nuclear Medicine

Specialties: Cardiac Imaging (PET, SPECT, CT, MRI)
Tel. +41 43 253 87 89
Mail ronny.buechel@usz.ch

Cathérine Gebhard Ph.D., Prof. Dr. med.

Attending Physician, Department of Nuclear Medicine

Tel. +41 43 253 87 95
Mail gendermedizin@med.uzh.ch

Aju Paul Pazhenkottil, PD Dr. med.

Senior Attending Physician, Department of Nuclear Medicine
Cardiologist, Department of Nuclear Medicine

Specialties: Cardiac Imaging (PET, SPECT, CT, MRI, Echocardiography)
Tel. +41 44 255 39 50
Mail aju.pazhenkottil@usz.ch

For patients

As a patient, you cannot register directly for a consultation. Please have your family doctor, specialist refer you. If you have any questions, please use our contact form.

Tel. +41 44 255 35 55
Contact form

For referring physicians

Simply assign your patient via registration form.

Tel. +41 44 255 35 55
Mail nuklearmedizin@usz.ch

Medical information hotline: 08.00-18.00 o’clock: +41 44 255 15 01

Registration form