“A cardiac MRI

It is a special imaging test that allows us to take detailed pictures of your child’s heart. Unlike other types of imaging, an MRI doesn’t use X-rays; instead, it uses a strong magnet and radio waves to create very clear images of the heart and surrounding blood vessels. This helps us see how the heart is working and identify any problems, like areas of the heart that aren’t getting enough blood or issues with the heart’s structure.

Here’s what happens during the procedure:

Preparation:

When you and your child arrive, they’ll be taken to the MRI suite, which is where the test will take place. Your child will need to change into a hospital gown to avoid any interference from clothing with metal parts, like zippers or buttons. We’ll ask some questions to make sure your child doesn’t have any metal in or on their body, such as braces, implants, or jewelry, because the MRI machine is a strong magnet.

Placing the IV (If Needed):

In some cases, we may need to use a contrast agent to get even clearer images of your child’s heart. If this is necessary, we’ll place a small IV in your child’s arm to deliver the contrast during the scan. The IV insertion might pinch a little, but it’s quick.

The MRI Scan:

Your child will lie down on a table that slides into the MRI machine, which is a large, tube-like structure. The machine is open at both ends, and there’s plenty of space inside, but it can feel a bit enclosed. We’ll make sure your child is comfortable, and we can talk to them throughout the scan. The scan itself is painless, but the machine does make loud knocking or thumping noises. Your child will be given headphones or earplugs to reduce the noise, and they can even listen to music if they’d like. During the scan, your child will need to lie very still to get the best images. We might also ask them to hold their breath for a few seconds at a time while we take pictures of the heart.
The entire scan usually takes between 30 minutes to an hour, depending on what we’re looking at.

Using the Contrast Agent:

If we’re using a contrast agent, it will be injected through the IV during the scan. The contrast helps highlight certain areas of the heart, making it easier for us to see any problems. Your child might feel a warm sensation when the contrast is injected, but it goes away quickly.

After the Scan:

Once the scan is complete, we’ll remove the IV (if used), and your child can get dressed. There are no side effects from the MRI itself, and if contrast was used, we’ll ask your child to drink plenty of water to help flush it out of their system. The images from the scan will be analyzed by a specialist, and we’ll discuss the results with you to explain what they mean for your child’s heart health.

Why We Use Cardiac MRI:

A cardiac MRI provides very detailed images of your child’s heart, which helps us understand its structure and function. It’s especially useful for diagnosing complex heart conditions, assessing damage from previous heart problems, or planning surgeries. It’s a safe, non-invasive test that gives us important information about your child’s heart. We’ll take every step to ensure your child is comfortable and well taken care of during the MRI, and we’re here to answer any questions you might have.