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Original Release Date
April 2013


Expiration Date
May 1, 2016



Faculty

Thomas Schrack, BS, ARMRIT
Manager, MR Education and Technical Development
Fairfax Radiological Consultants
Fairfax, VA



Equipment Requirements

PC: Win7/Win8, Pentium processor or faster, at least 2GB RAM, Internet Explorer version 10/11, Mozilla FireFox version 33.0.

MAC: OS version 10.8/10.9, Intel processor, at least 2GB RAM, Safari version 6.2, FireFox 33.0


 

 

MRI for Technologists: Cardiac MRI

Format: Online Activity
Credit:  2.0 ARRT Category A
Fee for Credit Certificate: $15
 

Click ENROLL NOW to view or download this program and complete the POSTTEST online.



MRI for Technologists is a training program designed to meet the needs of radiologic technologists entering or working in the MRI field. These units are designed to augment classroom instruction and on-site training for radiologic technology students and professionals planning to take the review board examinations, as well as to provide a review for those looking to refresh their knowledge base in MR imaging.

COURSE OVERVIEW
The skill of the technologist is the single most important factor in obtaining good quality diagnostic images. A successful MRI examination is the culmination of many factors under the direct control of the technologist.

Cardiac MRI introduces the learner to the anatomy and function of the heart and the mechanism by which blood is circulated through the heart. This unit will discuss timing methods that allow images to be acquired with the patient’s cardiac rhythm. Primary pulse sequences and planes of acquisition are reviewed.Common acquisition protocols are provided at the end of the material.


EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES
After completing this educational activity, the reader should be able to:

  • Explain the unique challenges of imaging the heart
  • Identify the basic anatomy of the heart and great vessels
  • Explain cardiac gating principles and patient safety and setup
  • Discuss the principles of the primary pulse sequences and image contrast
  • Describe the principles of bright-blood and black-blood pulse sequences
  • Demonstrate proper planes of acquisition for obtaining standard cardiac views
  • Explain common applications of cardiac MR imaging
  • Apply common acquisition protocols


EDUCATIONAL CREDIT
This program has been approved by the American Society of Radiologic Technologists (ASRT) for 2.0 hours of ARRT Category A continuing education credit.

HOW TO RECEIVE CREDIT

Estimated time to complete this activity is 2.0 hours. The posttest and evaluation are required to receive credit and must be completed online.

  • In order to access the posttest and evaluation, enroll in the online course at www.icpme.us.
  • Read the entire activity.
  • Log in to your account at www.icpme.us to complete the posttest and evaluation, accessible through the course link in your account.
  • A passing grade of at least 75% is required to be eligible to receive credit.
  • You may take the test up to three times.
  • Upon receipt of a passing grade, you will be able to print a certificate of credit from your online account.
  • There is a $15 fee to process a certificate of credit.

FACULTY

Thomas Schrack, BS, ARMRIT
Manager, MR Education and Technical Development
Fairfax Radiological Consultants
Fairfax, VA

Currently serving as Manager of MR Education and Technical Development at Fairfax Radiological Consults, Mr. Schrack also serves as Adjunct Faculty Instructor for Northern Virginia Community College, teaching MR physics and clinical procedures. He also serves on the Board of Examiners of the American Registry of MRI Technologists.

Prior to joining Fairfax Radiological Consultants, Mr. Schrack was employed by GE Healthcare in several roles, including advanced high-field applications development as 1.5T Marketing Manager. He is the author of Echo Planar Imaging: An Applications Guide, GE Healthcare, 1996; contributing author, Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Orthopaedics& Sports Medicine with David Stroller, MD, 1997; and co-author of two modules in the series titled MRI for Technologists: Technical Considerations of MRI and Body Applications of MRI with International Center for Postgraduate Medical Education, 2006 and 2009, respectively.

Mr. Schrack is a graduate of James Mason University, North Virginia Community College, and The Pittsburgh NMR Institute.

SPONSORED BY

ICPME


SUPPORTED BY


Bayer HealthCare Pharmaceuticals
 

DISCLAIMER
Participants have an implied responsibility to use the newly acquired information to enhance patient outcomes and their own professional development. The information presented in this activity is not meant to serve as a guideline for patient management. Any procedures, medications, or other courses of diagnosis or treatment discussed or suggested in this activity should not be used by clinicians without evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities.