Hybrid Cardiac Imaging for the Specialist with Expertise in Cardiac Magnetic Resonance

Abstract

Cardiac imaging aims to establish a correct diagnosis without performing unnecessary invasive procedures, with several imaging modalities in clinical use today. All modalities convey valuable diagnostic information about the heart’s anatomy and function. However, each technique has limitations thus making hybrid imaging potentially attractive. Hybrid imaging encompassing the combination of two or more imaging modalities allows for the synergistic effect of combining the advantages of each technique, while simultaneously reducing the disadvantages of both. Currently, a combined system for computed tomography (CT), positron emission tomography (PET), and magnetic resonance (MR) exists, and is in clinical use for diagnosis of obstructive coronary artery disease (CAD) and several nonischemic diseases. Hybrid PET/MR and CT/MR show promise in obstructive CAD with synergistic effects and refined functional assessment of coronary stenoses. Hybrid PET/MR may have potential for disease monitoring in chronic myocarditis however knowledge on hybrid CT/MR in nonischemic diseases is currently lacking.