Cardiac (heart) imaging lets us see inside your body to diagnose heart conditions and check on treatment. The cardiac imaging team at OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Institute are experts at these tests. We have some of the most advanced cardiac imaging equipment available.

At OHSU:

• We pioneered the use of myocardial contrast echocardiogram (MCE). We are the only hospital on the West Coast to offer this advanced test that can detect coronary heart disease early.
• We offer advanced analysis of heart CT scans. We can measure how much heart vessels have narrowed and how much plaque (cholesterol and calcium) has built up.
• We were the first hospital in the Pacific Northwest to offer PET/MRI. This test combines MRI with a PET scan to produce highly detailed images of your heart.
• We partner with providers around the region to care for patients with heart and vascular conditions.

What is cardiac imaging?

Cardiac imaging refers to the medical tests that create pictures of your heart and the surrounding area.

We provide:

• Echocardiogram, including myocardial contrast echocardiography, which was developed at OHSU
• Cardiac CT, including tests like a coronary calcium scan, PET CT and coronary CT angiography
• Cardiac MRI and the combined PET/MRI
• Nuclear cardiac imaging such as SPECT CT imaging

What is cardiac imaging used for?

Cardiac imaging tests are used to diagnose heart conditions. Most cardiac patients at OHSU will have at least one cardiac imaging test. These tests help your provider see what’s happening in your heart and can help them offer you the best treatment.

Cardiac imaging is used to diagnose conditions such as:

• Heart attack
• Heart valve disease
• Aortic disease
• Vascular conditions
• Heart failure and transplant
• Coronary artery disease
• Congenital heart disease
• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
• Arrhythmias and heart rhythm disorders
• Amyloidosis

Where to find cardiac imaging

We offer outpatient cardiac imaging services at:

• Center for Health & Healing, Building 1, South Waterfront
• Center for Health & Healing, Building 2, South Waterfront
• OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Institute Cardiology Clinic, Beaverton

We also offer inpatient cardiac imaging services at OHSU Hospital on Marquam Hill in Portland.

How to prepare for a cardiac imaging test

Your care team will give you detailed instructions before your appointment. It’s important to follow these instructions closely. If you don’t, we may have to reschedule your test.

You’ll get instructions from our staff and through MyChart. The instructions will tell you how to prepare for your test, including details like:

• What to wear
• Whether to remove metal jewelry
• Whether to fast before your appointment
• Whether to avoid caffeine
• Whether to take your prescription medications

Pioneering better heart attack detection

Sanjiv Kaul, M.D., former co-director of the OHSU Knight Cardiovascular Institute, made history by developing a better way to detect heart attacks through myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE).

In MCE, doctors inject tiny bubbles the size of red blood cells into your veins that travel to your heart. The bubbles follow the movements of your heart and give doctors an accurate view of your heart's blood flow, finding heart attacks that other methods miss.

OHSU is one of only a few hospitals in the country to offer MCE.