Clinical impact of a new cardiac magnetic resonance imaging program: a single center US experience

Background CMR provides a wealth of unique diagnostic and prognostic information in patients with cardiovascular disease. However, little is known about the direct additive effects of information derived from CMR with respect to clinical decision making. Although there is preliminary data suggesting significant impact of CMR on clinical management, this has been derived entirely from European centers where routine use of CMR is significantly more widespread than in the United States. In the current health care environment in the United States, greater use of a new imaging modality like CMR requires evidence for direct additive impact on clinical management.