Making the Case for CMR Amidst Advances in Other Modalities-Making the Case for CMR Amidst Advances in Other Modalities

Making the Case for CMR Amidst Advances in Other Modalities

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The speaker compares cardiac MRI (CMR) and radionuclide imaging, emphasizing that the best test depends on the clinical question. CMR is strongest for cardiac structure, function, and precise quantification, while PET/SPECT excel at molecular and metabolic imaging. He focuses on two major diseases: cardiac amyloidosis and sarcoidosis. In amyloidosis, MRI detects tissue changes with late gadolinium enhancement, T1, and extracellular volume, but cannot type the disease; bone scans with PYP/DPD and amyloid PET can distinguish transthyretin from light-chain amyloid and guide treatment. In sarcoidosis, MRI identifies scar and inflammation, while FDG PET shows active disease, helps guide biopsy, and monitors therapy. He also briefly discusses imaging of paracardiac masses and thrombus, showing how multiple modalities are often combined for diagnosis and management. Overall, he argues for precision medicine through tailored use of CMR and nuclear imaging.

Keywords

cardiac MRI

radionuclide imaging

cardiac amyloidosis

cardiac sarcoidosis

FDG PET

precision medicine