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  • Review
  • Open Access

20 May 2025

35 Pages

The Role of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Athletic Individuals—A Narrative Review

and
1
Department of Cardiology, Mater Dei Hospital, MSD 2090 Msida, Malta
2
Department of Medicine, University of Malta, MSD 2090 Msida, Malta
3
Cardiovascular and Genomics Research Institute, City St George’s, University of London, Cranmer Terrace, London SW17 0RE, UK
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
This article belongs to the Special Issue Clinical Advances in Cardiac Imaging

Abstract

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an advanced cardiac imaging modality that is often required when evaluating athletic individuals. Unrestricted imaging planes, excellent spatial resolution, and a lack of ionising radiation are some of the benefits of this modality. Cardiac MRI has been established as the gold standard imaging modality for morphological assessment, volumetric analysis, and tissue characterisation. Cardiac MRI without any doubt is an excellent diagnostic tool when evaluating athletes with symptoms or those individuals exhibiting equivocal findings at screening. It is also useful for athletes who fall within the grey zone and is especially important among athletes with a suspected or confirmed diagnosis. Cardiac MRI plays a strategic role when adopting a shared decision-making model in athletes with heart disease, tailoring and personalising medical care to the condition and the athlete’s wishes. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive yet practical overview of the role of cardiac MRI when evaluating athletes in clinic.

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