Billeddiagnostik ved hjertesvigt

Diagnosis of heart failure relies almost exclusively on cardiovascular imaging, which, in addition, can often provide important information on the aetiology of the disease. Today echocardiography plays a dominant role in the diagnosis of heart failure, where it is used to verify the diagnosis as well as to provide aetiological and prognostic information. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a very reproducible method of measuring left ventricular function and is ideally suited to assessment of myocardial viability. Positron emission tomography (PET) is used for assessment of myocardial perfusion, e.g., for evaluation of the potential for revascularisation of the ischaemic myocardium. Access to MRI and PET is very limited in Denmark. Multiple gated radionuclide ventriculography (MUGA) is a reproducible method of assessment of left ventricular systolic function. Today cardiovascular imaging is an essential tool for diagnosis and planning of treatment strategy in patients suspected of having heart failure.