About
The Advanced Cardiac Imaging program within the Heart Institute at Rady Children’s Hospital is committed to providing high quality non-invasive advanced imaging of the heart by using imaging technology such as cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cardiac computed tomography (CT).
Our mission within the Advanced Cardiac Imaging program is to integrate advanced imaging technology into the care pathway of children with heart disease to ensure the best possible outcomes from the care that pediatric patients receive.
Our vision is to be a leading pediatric center for Advanced Cardiac Imaging and be at the forefront of clinical and translational imaging research.
Core Values:
- QUALITY-Ensure the highest quality of imaging with a focus on improving patient heart care and outcomes
- SAFETY-Ensure highest safety standards during image acquisition and image interpretation
- SERVICE-Provide easy access to imaging capabilities at point of need
- PATIENT CENTRIC– Provide a child-friendly environment with family-centered care
- INNOVATION– Foster research collaboration for bench-to-bedside translation
Child-Friendly Imaging
Rady Children’s has a child-friendly, state-of-the-art MRI machine for performing cardiac MRIs, which is housed within the Dickinson Image Guided Intervention Center inside our Acute Care Pavilion. The Siemens Sola 1.5 tesla MRI, featuring the Cinema Vision goggles, enables kids to watch a movie or listen to music during an MRI exam. Studies have shown that entertainment during an MRI exam can soothe anxiety and minimize claustrophobia, leading to faster and better exams in children who meet the screening criteria for non-sedated studies involving heart conditions.
What is Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the Heart or Cardiac MRI?
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (an MRI) of the heart creates images of the tissues and other structures inside the heart to evaluate the heart condition, including congenital heart diseases/defects, and to assist with the diagnosis and treatment of problems. In some ways, an MRI is similar to an x-ray, but it is also different in several important ways. Click below to learn more about Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI).