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Cardiac MRI in Adelaide

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is the most accurate way to measure the heart and the only test that shows scar and inflammation inside the heart muscle without a biopsy. A/Prof Verjans is a Level 3 certified CMR cardiologist and interprets the scans he requests.

Reviewed by A/Prof Johan Verjans, Cardiologist · Updated September 2026

What cardiac MRI shows

CMR produces moving images of the heart in any plane, with precise measurements of chamber volumes, wall thickness and ejection fraction. After an injection of gadolinium contrast, areas of scar, fibrosis and inflammation light up (late gadolinium enhancement), and newer mapping techniques measure oedema and diffuse fibrosis directly. No radiation is involved.

When it is used

  • Myocarditis: confirming inflammation of the heart muscle after a viral illness, chest pain with a raised troponin and normal coronary arteries, or after vaccination; and checking that it has resolved.
  • Pericarditis: showing inflammation or thickening of the heart's lining and guiding the length of treatment in recurrent cases.
  • Cardiomyopathy: distinguishing inherited conditions such as hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathy from athlete's heart, hypertension, previous infarction and infiltrative diseases such as amyloid or sarcoid.
  • Heart failure: the reference measurement of ejection fraction when echocardiography is borderline, and before decisions about defibrillators or cancer therapy.
  • Congenital and valve disease: quantifying leaking valves and shunts, and following adults with repaired congenital heart disease.

Level 3 certification

The Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR) recognises three levels of training in CMR. Level 3 is the highest, requiring supervised interpretation of a large volume of studies and the ability to direct a CMR service. A/Prof Verjans holds Level 3 certification and completed CMR training during fellowships in the Netherlands and at Harvard Medical School. Scans are performed by Jones Radiology at their MRI clinics across Adelaide (bookings 1800 375 663) and reviewed and interpreted by A/Prof Verjans.

How to prepare

  • Tell us about pacemakers, defibrillators, loop recorders, metal implants, cochlear implants, previous surgery, kidney disease, claustrophobia or pregnancy. Many modern devices are MRI-conditional, but must be checked and programmed first.
  • Keep taking your usual medicines.
  • Remove jewellery, watches, chains, earrings and glasses; you may be asked to change into a gown, and you will complete an MRI safety questionnaire on arrival.
  • Kidney function is checked by blood test before gadolinium contrast is given.

On the day

The scan takes 45 minutes to an hour. You lie head-first in the magnet with a light coil over the chest and electrodes monitoring your heart rate, stay as still as possible, and follow a series of breath-holds of about 10 to 15 seconds each. The scanner makes loud knocking sounds; headphones or earplugs are provided and you can speak to the radiographer at any time. A cannula in the arm is used for the contrast injection. You can drive and return to normal activities immediately afterwards.

Results and cost

A/Prof Verjans reviews the images and discusses the findings with you at follow-up, with a copy to your GP and to your Patient Hub. Cardiac MRI attracts a Medicare rebate for specific indications when requested by a cardiologist; we tell you whether your scan qualifies and the expected out-of-pocket cost before it is booked.

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