Magnetic resonance imaging of the heart is a diagnostic MRI procedure that is useful to evaluate the structures, the function and viability of the heart and the major blood vessels.

See also Cardiac MRI, Cardiovascular Imaging, MRA, Cardiac Stent, Myocardial Late Enhancement and Coronary Angiography.

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Hitachi Medical Systems America, Inc. (HMSA), was a major provider of magnetic resonance imaging systems in the United States. Hitachi had more than 2300 installed permanent magnet MR imaging systems worldwide. As a full-line supplier of medical imaging equipment in Japan, Hitachi Medical Corporation (HMC) founded HMSA to provide a direct link to the U.S. marketplace. Altaireâ„¢ , the open MR system from Hitachi, extends the family of open MRI products.

In December 2019 Japan's Fujifilm announced the acquisition of Hitachi's diagnostic imaging business for 179 billion yen ($1.63 billion). This includes Hitachi’s CT, MRI, X-ray, and ultrasound imaging operations, also its electronic health record business. Fujifilm expects the deal to close in July 2020 subject to regulatory clearances.

MRI Scanners:

0.3T to 0.7T:
1.5T:

IMRIS® is a Canadian manufacturer of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Systems for use in neurosurgical operating rooms. The 1.5T intra-operative system, developed by IMRIS, is the only system of its kind in the world. This patented, intra-operative system, is designed so that the magnet moves over the patient for imaging (before, during and after surgery), and then is retracted to allow complete surgical access to the patient.

MRI Scanners:

1.5T:

ISOL Technology participated in the pioneering the Korea's MRI development since the early 1980's. In spite of the rapidly changing business environment, and severe competition in the overall medical market, ISOL Technology has grown steadily each year and has established itself as a major provider of Magnetic Resonance(MR) Imaging Systems in Korea.
ISOL Technology also has the largest market share of the domestic bone densitometry equipment sales and is currently in the early stages of development of the 61 channel MCG (Magnetocardiography) system with the R and D funds from the Korean Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy.

MRI Scanners:

0.35T to 0.5T:
1.5T:
3T:

The quality of magnetic resonance imaging is particularly dependent on image resolution (matrix, field of view, slice thickness), contrast (TE, TR), signal to noise ratio (bandwidth, signal averaging) and lack of artifacts. These MRI parameters are affected by the field homogeneity, the field strength, the coil, the pulse sequence type and imaging techniques like parallel imaging.

See also Image Contrast Characteristics.