Foundations of CMR: Level 1 Virtual Course-Course Program

Course Program

Pdf Summary

The “Level 1 Virtual Course: Foundations of CMR” was a two-day online program held on 10–11 August 2024, jointly produced by SCMR and IACI India. The course was designed to provide a structured introduction to cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR), combining foundational lectures, case-based learning, panel discussions, quizzes, and practical guidance for establishing and running CMR services.<br /><br />Day 1 focused on core CMR principles and major disease applications. The morning sessions covered CMR physics, protocol planning, post-processing of LV and RV function, contrast media safety, and strategies to improve image quality by managing artifacts. The second session introduced important techniques such as phase contrast imaging, late gadolinium enhancement, stress CMR, parametric mapping, and the use of CMR in patients with devices. The afternoon shifted to clinical case discussions in ischemic heart disease, including viability imaging, MINOCA, and the role of CMR versus nuclear medicine. The day concluded with cardiomyopathy topics, including hypertrophic, dilated, arrhythmogenic, amyloid, and iron overload cardiomyopathies.<br /><br />Day 2 expanded into inflammatory and less common indications. Sessions covered cardiac sarcoidosis, tuberculosis, myocarditis, and genetic cardiomyopathies, followed by other applications such as perfusion imaging, cardiac masses, pericardial disease, and aortoarteritis. The course then highlighted the growing role of CMR in congenital heart disease and valvular heart disease, including pediatric and adult congenital cases, a panel discussion on the possibilities and limitations of congenital CMR, and a quiz. The final session addressed practical implementation issues, including selecting a scanner, starting a CMR service, running a successful program, and opportunities for SCMR training and research, ending with an MCQ-based assessment.

Keywords

cardiovascular magnetic resonance

CMR

virtual course

SCMR

IACI India

CMR physics

late gadolinium enhancement

myocarditis

congenital heart disease

CMR service implementation