Introduction to Noninvasive Cardiac Imaging

Noninvasive cardiac imaging refers to a combination of methods that can be used to obtain images related to the structure and function of the heart. As opposed to invasive techniques, which require catheters to be inserted into the heart, noninvasive tests are easier to perform, are safe, and can be used to detect various heart conditions, ranging from plaque in the arteries that supply the heart muscle (known as coronary artery disease) to abnormalities that impair the ability of the heart to pump blood.As a result of technological advances, the number of available noninvasive cardiac tests that physicians can order has increased substantially over the last decade (the Figure). Although these tests have improved physicians' abilities to diagnose and treat heart disease, it is important to understand that not all individuals benefit from noninvasive cardiac imaging. Therefore, these tests should be ordered only at the advice of a physician and should be considered only if the information provided would influence subsequent treatment with medications, procedures, or lifestyle interventions.Figure. Example of images/data typically provided by various noninvasive cardiac tests. CT indicates computed tomography; MRI, …