Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at the Heart Center

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (cardiac MRI) is a state-of-the-art, non-invasive imaging procedure. It not only allows precise visualization of the heart muscle, but also the detection of circulatory disorders (ischemia), as well as tissue characterization (muscle vs. fibrosis, etc.) and the visualization of blood flow in the vessels.

Overview

All examinations are carried out without the use of X-rays, which makes MRI a gentle method.

Together with the Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology and the Institute of Biomedical Engineering at ETH and the University of Zurich, the department has state-of-the-art MR equipment (1.5 Tesla and 3.0 Tesla). There is also close cooperation with the Zurich Children’s Hospital for the examination of adults with congenital heart defects. Over 2000 heart MRI examinations were carried out in 2020.

In order to further improve MRI technologies, the University Heart Center works closely with the internationally renowned Institute of Biomedical Engineering at ETH and the University of Zurich. Over 20 publications were published in high-ranking scientific journals last year.

Indications for cardiac MRI

  • Assessment of the morphology and function of the heart
  • Diagnosis of circulatory disorders (ischemia) in the context of coronary artery disease (coronary heart disease)
  • Identification of vital and scarred heart muscle tissue after a heart attack
  • Assessment of the functionality of the heart valves with regard to constrictions (stenoses) or leaks (insufficiencies)
  • Visualization of the aorta and precise assessment of the blood flow.
  • Recognizing inflammation of the heart muscle and pericardium (myocarditis, perimyocarditis and cardiac sarcoidosis)
  • Diagnosis and assessment of genetic and acquired diseases of the heart muscle such as arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy(ARVC), hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and many others
  • Diagnosis and follow-up assessment of congenital heart defects, which are managed together with the local congenital heart defect consultation and the pediatric cardiology department of the Children’s Hospital
  • Assessment of cardiac storage diseases(amyloidosis network, Fabry disease)
  • Further diagnostics for heart failure
  • Assessment of cardiac involvement in rheumatic and neuromuscular diseases
  • Cardiovascular diagnostics for athletes

MRI images

Responsible professionals

Robert Manka, Prof. Dr. med.

Senior Attending Physician, Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology
Senior Attending Physician, Department of Cardiology

Tel. +41 44 255 12 51
Specialties: Cardiac imaging (heart MRI & heart CT), Interventional cardiology, Consultation hours for complex coronary interventions

Alexander Gotschy, PD Dr. med. Dr. sc. ETH

Attending Physician, Department of Cardiology
Attending Physician, Institute for Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology

Tel. +41 43 253 78 90
Specialties: Interventional cardiology, Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (cardiac MRI), Imaging of congenital heart defects

For patients

You can either register yourself or be referred by your primary care physician, specialist.

Tel. +41 44 255 15 15
Self-registration

For referrering physicians

University Hospital Zurich
University Heart Center Zurich
Rämistrasse 100
8091 Zurich

Tel. +41 44 255 15 15
Assign online

Responsible Department

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