Customer Testimonials

"I have come to rely on the FastCINE sequence on the GE Signa CV/i system. This sequence delivers the excellent image quality and rapid imaging needed to make clinical decisions in ill patients."
--Anthon R. Fuiz, MD

Case History

Cardiac MRI can often add valuable information in patients with cardiac or pericardial masses, even in settings when a CT has already been done. A 74-year-old man with a ten-week history of increasing shortness of breath and chest pressure sought evaluation at an outside hospital. Coronary angiography and a chest CT were performed, with the finding of a large bi-lobed anterior mediastinal mass. He was transferred to UAB for further evaluation. Using the FastCINE pulse sequence on the GE Signa CV/i system, the MRI demonstrated the mass was a 7x9x9 cm aneurysm of the right coronary artery. The aneurysm partially compressed the right ventricle. He was taken to surgery, and the aneurysm was resected. The patient recovered well.

Clinical Benefits

In the case above, recognition of the true character of the mass using FastCINE was important to patient care. As the aneurysm was not suspected on the catheterization (the right coronary was believed to be occluded), the cardiac MRI provided critical data, and potientially prevented dangerous biopsy of the aneurysm that was believed to be a mass or tumor. The planning of the surgery was also facilitated by the knowledge of the anatomy involved.

FIGURE A

Figure A- Demonstrates a pericardiac lesion compressing the right ventricle

Scan Protocol

FastCINE(Non-breath hold), Fast SPGR 20 deg. Flip Angle

FIGURE B

Key Technology
FastCINE
Cardiac iDrive

Clinical Specifications
< 2min localization
Up to 40 fps with phased-array SNR
100% R-R coverage


Figure B - Demonstrates the right coronary artery and the right coronary aneurysm.