Advanced Cardiac Imaging

Expert Cardiac MRI, CT Coronary Angiography and Advanced Cardiac Imaging

Shore Cardiology provides advanced cardiac imaging services including Cardiac MRI (CMR), CT Coronary Angiography (CTCA) and Coronary Calcium Scoring. These specialised investigations offer detailed assessment of heart structure, heart function and coronary artery disease, often allowing earlier diagnosis and more accurate treatment planning.

Our cardiologists utilise advanced imaging techniques to investigate a broad range of cardiovascular conditions, from chest pain and coronary artery disease through to cardiomyopathies, myocarditis and infiltrative heart disease.

Why Is Advanced Cardiac Imaging Important?

Traditional investigations such as ECGs and echocardiography provide valuable information, but some cardiac conditions require more detailed anatomical and tissue characterisation.

Advanced imaging can help:

  • Diagnose coronary artery disease

  • Assess heart muscle disease

  • Investigate unexplained chest pain

  • Evaluate cardiomyopathies

  • Detect myocarditis and inflammation

  • Assess cardiac amyloidosis

  • Identify congenital heart disease

  • Improve treatment planning

These investigations often provide information that cannot be obtained through standard testing alone.

Cardiac MRI (CMR)

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging is considered the gold standard for assessment of heart muscle structure and function.

Unlike CT scanning, Cardiac MRI does not use ionising radiation and provides exceptional detail regarding heart muscle tissue characteristics.

Cardiac MRI is commonly used to assess:

  • Cardiomyopathies

  • Myocarditis

  • Cardiac sarcoidosis

  • Cardiac amyloidosis

  • Dilated cardiomyopathy

  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

  • Heart failure

  • Viability following heart attack

  • Congenital heart disease

Cardiac MRI plays an increasingly important role in diagnosing complex cardiovascular conditions and guiding treatment decisions.

Cardiac Amyloidosis Assessment

Cardiac MRI is particularly valuable in the assessment of suspected cardiac amyloidosis.

Advanced imaging techniques can identify characteristic patterns of myocardial infiltration and assist with early diagnosis, often before significant cardiac dysfunction develops.

This is particularly relevant in patients with:

  • Unexplained left ventricular hypertrophy

  • Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction

  • Conduction disease

  • Aortic stenosis

  • Elevated cardiac biomarkers

Myocarditis and Inflammatory Heart Disease

Cardiac MRI is the preferred non-invasive investigation for the diagnosis of myocarditis.

The study can identify:

  • Myocardial inflammation

  • Oedema

  • Scar tissue

  • Previous myocardial injury

This information assists clinicians in determining prognosis and guiding ongoing management.

CT Coronary Angiography (CTCA)

CT Coronary Angiography provides a highly accurate, non-invasive assessment of the coronary arteries.

The test uses advanced CT technology to evaluate for coronary artery narrowing, plaque burden and coronary anomalies.

CTCA is particularly useful for patients with:

  • Chest pain

  • Suspected coronary artery disease

  • Intermediate cardiovascular risk

  • Family history of premature heart disease

  • Abnormal stress testing

  • Persistent cardiac symptoms

For many patients, CTCA can reduce the need for invasive coronary angiography.

Coronary Calcium Scoring

Coronary Calcium Scoring is a quick, low-radiation CT scan used to assess the burden of calcified plaque within the coronary arteries.

The test may assist with:

  • Cardiovascular risk assessment

  • Cholesterol treatment decisions

  • Preventive cardiology planning

  • Assessment of asymptomatic patients with cardiovascular risk factors

Calcium scoring can provide valuable information regarding future cardiovascular risk and help guide preventative treatment strategies.

Cardiomyopathy Assessment

Advanced cardiac imaging plays a central role in the diagnosis and monitoring of:

  • Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

  • Dilated cardiomyopathy

  • Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy

  • Restrictive cardiomyopathy

  • Infiltrative cardiomyopathies

Accurate imaging allows detailed assessment of disease severity and may assist with risk stratification and long-term management.

Coronary Artery Disease Assessment

For patients with chest pain or suspected coronary artery disease, advanced imaging can provide:

  • Assessment of coronary artery narrowing

  • Plaque characterisation

  • Risk stratification

  • Guidance regarding medical therapy

  • Identification of patients requiring invasive investigation

These techniques allow a more personalised approach to cardiovascular care.

Why Choose Shore Cardiology?

  • Expertise in Cardiac MRI and advanced cardiac imaging

  • Specialist interpretation by experienced cardiologists

  • Evidence-based investigation pathways

  • Strong focus on non-invasive diagnosis

  • Access to contemporary imaging technologies

  • Close collaboration with referring doctors

  • Convenient locations across Sydney's Northern Beaches and Upper North Shore

Referrals

Referrals from general practitioners, specialists and hospital clinicians are welcome.

Our cardiologists can advise on the most appropriate imaging investigation based on individual symptoms, risk factors and clinical circumstances.

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