Selection of Imaging Tests
| Echo | Nuclear | CT | MRIa | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LV size/function | Initial modality of choice Low cost, portable Provides ancillary structural and hemodynamic information | Available from gated SPECT stress imaging | Best resolution High cost | Best resolution High cost |
| Valve disease | Initial modality of choice Valve motion Doppler hemodynamics | Visualize valve motion Delineate abnormal flow | ||
| Pericardial disease | Pericardial effusion Doppler hemodynamics | Pericardial thickening | Pericardial thickening | |
| Aortic disease | TEE rapid diagnosis of acute dissectionc | Image entire aorta Aortic aneurysms Aortic dissection | Image entire aorta Aortic aneurysms Chronic dissection | |
| Cardiac masses | TTE—large intracardiac masses | Extracardiac masses | Extracardiac masses | |
| TEE—smaller intracardiac massesb | Myocardial masses | Myocardiac masses |
aRelative contraindication: pacemakers, metallic objects, claustrophobic.
bWhen not seen on TTE.
Abbreviations: Echo, echocardiography; SPECT, single-photon emission CT; TEE, transesophageal echocardiography; TTE, transthoracic echocardiogram.