MRI Chest
Your doctor has recommended you for either magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) of your chest and heart. These procedures use a magnetic field, radio waves and a computer to create detailed images of the chest area. The angiography procedure is specifically designed to examine the heart and the blood vessels entering your lungs. Our team of specialist physicians can use these images to distinguish different types of tissue as well as diseased tissue. Our team of physicians, nurses and technologists are led by our chief of Cardiac Radiology, Daniel S. Berman, MD, FACC, and our chief of Thoracic Radiology, Peter J Julien, MD.
Before Your Exam
- You can print and fill out the MRI Questionnaire and the MRI and Pregnancy form, if applicable, from the Pre-Registration Questionnaire page before arriving to speed the registration process.
- You may eat and drink before this exam.
- For studies that involve IV contrast: If you have veins that are small or hard to find, or have a port, please arrive 60 minutes before your scheduled arrival time.
- If your doctor gave you an order, please bring it with you.
- Please wear comfortable clothing.
- Although we do not anticipate any delay in your scheduled appointment, we recommend that you bring a book, a magazine, or a music player to pass the time while you are waiting.
- In addition, you may bring a CD to listen to while being scanned.
- If you are claustrophobic (fearful of small, enclosed areas) or experience pain when lying on your back for more than 30 minutes, your referring physician may prescribe a relaxant or pain medication. The imaging physicians at Cedars-Sinai will not prescribe such medications.
- If you plan to take relaxation medication before your exam, it is our policy that you come with someone who can drive you home.
After Arriving for Your Exam
- You must inform the technologist, radiology nurse and/or imaging physician if you have any allergies, are pregnant or are nursing.
- You will be asked to fill out a questionnaire, which will determine if an MRI or MRA is safe for you. People with various implants (usually metallic), body piercings or with metal in their bodies (including some tattoos) may have difficulty with an MR-which utilizes a strong magnetic field. The imaging physician needs to be informed of any of these potential problems.
During Your Exam
- There are no restrictions placed on you after this procedure. You may eat or drive as normal.
- An imaging physician will exam your films and write a report with the findings. This will be sent to you doctor who will discuss the results with you.
- To request copies of your pictures on a PC and MAC compatible CD, or a copy of your report, call 310-423-8000 and follow the prompts for your selection.
After the Exam
- There are no restrictions placed on you after this procedure. You may eat or drive as normal, although if you took relaxation medication, you will need someone to drive you home.
- An imaging physician will exam your films and write a report with the findings. This will be sent to you doctor who will discuss the results with you.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call 310-423-8000.
The S. Mark Taper Foundation Imaging Center provides a full range of advanced imaging, both radiology and cardiology, as well as interventional radiology and interventional tumor (oncology) treatments to the greater Los Angeles area, including Beverly Hills, Encino, Mid-Cities, Sherman Oaks, Silver Lake, Studio City, Toluca Lake and West Hollywood.