The Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging Section within the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine provides essential diagnostic cardiac imaging services. The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center offers these services on an outpatient or inpatient basis at several locations throughout central Ohio. Our team of board-certified cardiologists, trained to the American College of Cardiology Competency (COCATS) Level III standard, supervises these services using state-of-the-art imaging equipment.

Why choose Ohio State for advanced cardiac imaging

The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center is one of the top centers for advanced cardiovascular imaging in the country with three dedicated clinical cardiac MRI scanners and a state-of-the-art, dual-energy photon-counting dedicated cardiac CT scanner.

With the region’s most advanced cardiac diagnostic testing capabilities and cardiologist-specific expertise allowing us to provide comprehensive and complete cardiac care, we perform over 2,500 cardiac MRI scans and 2,000 cardiac CT scans every year.

With active collaboration among researchers who have pioneered the field of cardiac MRI, world-class clinical cardiologists and a robust imaging educational training program, Ohio State is a national leader in the advanced cardiac imaging field.

Cardiac imaging at a glance

2,500+ Cardiac MRI scans performed every year

2,000+ Cardiac CT scans performed every year

3 Dedicated cardiac MRI scanners

What to know about referrals

A cardiologist on our team meticulously reviews every order to ensure accuracy. This collaborative approach involves working closely with our nursing staff, imaging technologists, the referring provider and the patient, creating a seamless experience and giving the provider the specific information they need. All of our CT and CMR readers have COCATS Level III training, ensuring the most accurate diagnosis and management strategies.

Our nursing staff and imaging technologists possess specialized cardiac expertise, which allows us to obtain the best images possible even in complex cases. Our cardiac imaging team continues to be actively engaged in research to pioneer new techniques, and we often approach patients to see if they are interested in participating.

Cardiac imaging services offered at Ohio State

Some of the services offered by our imaging group include:

Cardiac MRI (CMR) and MRI Angiography (MRA) Services

Cardiac MRI (CMR) – This is the most detailed and comprehensive non-invasive evaluation of a patient's heart to diagnose and guide treatment for a wide range of heart conditions, including cardiomyopathy, heart valve diseases and congenital heart diseases.
Stress cardiac MRI – using adenosine and exercise, we offer comprehensive evaluation for coronary artery disease and cardiomyopathy.
Cardiac MRI in the presence of implantable conditional or non-conditional devices.
Cardiac MRI for patients who can't fit into conventional scanners due to body size or claustrophobia.
MRI angiography (MRA) – a tool used to diagnose and monitor vascular diseases.

Cardiac CT Services

Coronary artery calcium scoring (CACS) – low-cost scan to help screen for coronary heart disease.
Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) – high-resolution scan to evaluate the coronaries. The photo-counting CT is promised to overcome conventional limitations with calcium and stents.
CT transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVR) pre-procedural planning – comprehensive imaging tool used prior to life-saving aortic valve replacement procedures to ensure optimal safety.
CT left atrial appendage occlusion device procedural planning – comprehensive pre- and post-implantation imaging to guide device-related management.
Congenital Cardiac CT – detailed imaging of the heart for patients with complex congenital heart disease.

Current research at Ohio State

Cardiac MRI low-field scanner – We're developing cardiac MRI techniques for a first-in-the-nation, low-field (0.55T) ultra-wide bore commercial cardiac MRI scanner for both routine CMR scans and interventional procedures. This work has the potential to increase access and imaging capabilities worldwide.
Real-time CMR at rest and during exercise, which provides fast, motion-robust imaging without breath holding.
Dilated cardiomyopathy research – we're utilizing cardiac MRI to study families genetically at risk for dilated cardiomyopathy to identify the earliest imaging phenotype.
Research on Cardiac MRI in athletes – we're studying athletic cardiac adaptation, as well as inherited and acquired heart disease.
Cardio-oncology research – we're investigating the effect of novel cancer therapies on the heart.