MRI can replace invasive heart examinations, new research suggests

New research suggests that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans could replace invasive heart tests, as new research shows they can reliably estimate pressures inside the heart to predict if a patient will develop heart failure, reports EurekAlert! scientific periodical.

The research from the University of East Anglia (UEA) and Queen Mary University of London also identified key risk factors for increased pressure inside the heart, which leads to heart failure.

These risk factors include being over 70, having high blood pressure, being obese, alcohol consumption and being male.

Analyzing data from more than 39,000 UK Biobank participants, this latest research demonstrates that MRI-detected pressure changes can identify heart failure risk without invasive procedures. 

" By combining these factors [i.e. age over 70, high blood pressure, obesity, alcohol consumption, and male gender], we developed a model to predict individual heart failure risk. This advancement enables prevention, early detection and treatment of heart failure, which could save many lives," the researchers added.

A heart MRI is a type of scan that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create detailed images of the heart. Unlike X-rays or CT scans, it does not use harmful radiation.

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