Pediatric cardiac imaging

What is pediatric cardiac imaging?

Think of cardiac imaging as taking a detailed picture of your child’s heart.

We perform a wide range of imaging tests that include:

• Echocardiogram - This is an ultrasound of the heart.

• CT scan - This uses X-rays to take pictures of your child’s heart.

• MRI - This uses magnetic fields to produce images of the heart.

• X-ray angiography - This examines the arteries and veins to look for blockages and blood vessel problems.

• Intracardiac echocardiography - This takes pictures from within the heart using a small, thin tube called a catheter.

• Stress echocardiogram - This is done with medicine or on a treadmill to see how well the heart performs during exercise and under stress.

• Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) - This shows if the heart is producing blood clots.

• Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) - This provides an overall view of heart health.

• Stress MRI - This examines the blood flow in the heart’s arteries.

• Radiation-free catheterization using MRI - This offers important anatomical and functional data, without having to use radiation.

• 3D heart imaging - This creates an interactive, virtual model of the heart that we use to help plan for surgeries and complex procedures.

What are the benefits of pediatric cardiac imaging?

Cardiac imaging helps us see what is happening in your child’s heart so we can make a precise diagnosis and develop the best possible treatment plan. Your child’s treatment plan may include medication, a surgery or procedure, or other treatment. Cardiac imaging is also used after surgery and at some follow-up visits to make sure your child’s heart is functioning well.

State-of-the-art equipment

Our combination of state-of-the-art equipment and renowned providers lets us give your child the most accurate diagnosis and treatment possible. For example, we are the only hospital in North Texas offering a dedicated pediatric cardiac MRI scanner and technologists.

• We also are the only hospital with a team of providers who focus specifically on performing and training the next generation of specialists in cardiac MRIs and CT scans.

• We even have a cardiac MRI physicist who makes sure we have the newest and best technology in cardiac imaging services. No other hospital in North Texas has someone like this on their team.

Our team

Our team has dedicated their careers to cardiac imaging. Some of our heart doctors hold leadership positions in national societies like the Society of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging and the Society for Cardiac CT. We also frequently publish scholarly articles about heart imaging techniques in national and international medical journals. We are dedicated to improving the patient experience and staying up-to-date on the latest imaging techniques.

What are the side effects of pediatric cardiac imaging?

There aren’t any side effects for most cardiac imaging tests. However, with an MRI, a CT scan or X-ray angiography, there is a small chance your child might feel nauseous or have a rash afterward. That’s because we use a dye (called a contrast agent) that helps blood vessels and the heart show up more clearly on the image. This dye gives the doctor a better view of the blood vessels and heart. Side effects like this shouldn’t last longer than a day.

What are the risks of pediatric cardiac imaging?

Cardiac imaging is very safe, and the risks are minimal. For example, the small amount of radiation given for some of our cardiac imaging is very safe. However, some children need multiple procedures. Repeated or prolonged exposure to radiation can increase the risk of cancer or cause tissue damage. By offering a variety of cardiac imaging options that don’t require radiation (like MRI and echo), we can keep radiation exposure to a minimum.

What to expect with pediatric cardiac imaging

Your doctor will tell you what type of cardiac imaging your child will have and will let you know how long the test will take, why it is needed, and what we’re looking for. You will get the results back within two days.

How do I prepare my child for pediatric cardiac imaging?

We know that cardiac imaging might seem scary to your child.

You can explain that we’ll do everything we can to help them feel comfortable, such as:

• Let them to watch their favorite movie or TV show during an MRI

• Show them what the machine looks like before the imaging

• Offer them pictures or video of their heart after the imaging

• Have you stay with them in the same room during the imaging

What questions should I ask my provider about pediatric cardiac imaging?

• Why does my child need this?

• What will the images show?

• How will it be done?

• How will this information help you plan treatment?