Data from a German registry on the utilisation of cardiovascular magnetic resonance in clinical practice covering nearly 10,000 patients demonstrates that this technique will generate a final diagnosis in more than 70% of the patients. In the registry, 16% of the patients came up with a different diagnosis after the scan, than what was to be expected before the test. These numbers are even more convincing when the complexity of the patients is taken into account. Most of the patients already underwent several other diagnostic tests before the cardiovascular magnetic resonance examination.
These numbers further underline the value of cardiovascular magnetic resonance in clinical cardiology practice. In addition, the use of cardiovascular magnetic resonance as a first line technique, rather than late during the diagnostic workup of patients needs to be considered. The registry will now be extended to an international level with participation of more than 50 major diagnostic centres.
