MRI Heart - CAM 719

Description/General Information
It is an expectation that all patients receive care/services from a licensed clinician. All appropriate supporting documentation, including recent pertinent office visit notes, laboratory data, and results of any special testing must be provided.  If applicable: All prior relevant imaging results and the reason that alternative imaging cannot be performed must be included in the documentation submitted. 

Where a specific clinical indication is not directly addressed in this guideline, medical necessity determination will be made based on widely accepted standard of care criteria. These criteria are supported by evidence-based or peer-reviewed sources such as medical literature, societal guidelines and state/national recommendations.

Purpose
CMR is an imaging modality used to assess cardiac or vascular anatomy, function, perfusion, and tissue characteristics in a single examination. In lesions affecting the right 
heart, CMR provides excellent visualization and volume determination regardless of RV shape. This is particularly useful in patients with congenital heart disease.

Special Note
Since many cardiac patients have cardiac implanted electrical devices, the risk of CMR to the patient and the device must be weighed against the benefit to the patient in terms of clinical value in optimal management.1,2,3,4

Policy
INDICATIONS FOR CARDIAC MAGNETIC RESONANCE 
Cardiomyopathy & Heart Failure10,11,12

  • To assess systolic and diastolic function in the evaluation of a newly diagnosed cardiomyopathy (AUC 7)10
  • Suspected infiltrative disease such as amyloidosis, sarcoidosis,13 hemochromatosis, or endomyocardial fibrosis if PET has not been performed (AUC 8)10
  • Suspected inherited or acquired cardiomyopathy (AUC 7)10
  • Diagnosis of acute myocarditis, with suspicion based upon new, unexplained findings such as:
    • Rise in troponin not clearly due to acute myocardial infarction
    • Change in ECG suggesting acute myocardial injury or pericarditis, without evident myocardial infarction
  • Assessment of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy14 (AUC 8)10
    • When TTE is inadequate for diagnosis, management, or operative planning, or when tissue characterization (degree of fibrosis) will impact indications for ICD
    • For patients with LVH when there is a suspicion of alternative diagnoses, including infiltrative or storage disease as well as athlete’s heart
    • For patients with obstructive HCM in whom the autonomic mechanism of obstruction is inconclusive on echocardiography, CMR is indicated for selection and planning of SRT (septal reduction therapy)
    • For patients with HCM, repeat imaging on a periodic basis (every 3 – 5 years) for the purpose of SCD risk stratification to evaluate changes in LGE, EF, development of apical aneurysm or LV wall thickness
  • Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy to aid in identification and diagnosis (assessment of myocardial fat, fibrosis, and RV tissue characteristics), based upon reason for suspicion, such as:
    • Nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (VT)
    • Unexplained syncope
    • ECG abnormalities
    • First-degree relatives with positive genotype for ARVD
  • Noncompaction cardiomyopathy to aid in the diagnosis (measurement of compacted to noncompacted myocardium) when TTE is suggestive
  • Viability assessment when SPECT, PET or Dobutamine Echo has provided “equivocal or indeterminate” results
  • Clinical symptoms and signs consistent with a cardiac diagnosis known to cause presyncope/syncope (including, but not limited to, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy) (AUC 7)10
  • Pulmonary hypertension in the absence of severe valvular disease (AUC 7)10
  • Cardiomyopathy
    • Hemosiderosis
    • Restrictive cardiomyopathy (AUC 7)10
    • Cardio toxic chemotherapy

Valvular Heart Disease

  • Evaluation of valvular stenosis, regurgitation, or valvular masses when transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) is inadequate (AUC 7)15
  • Pre-TAVR assessment if the patient has not undergone cardiac CT16
  • Prior to transcatheter mitral valve intervention, when TTE and TEE result in uncertain assessment of the severity of mitral regurgitation17,18
  • Suspected clinically significant bioprosthetic valvular dysfunction and inadequate images from TTE and TEE (AUC 7)15

Evaluation of Intra- and Extra-Cardiac Structures

  • Initial evaluation of cardiac mass, suspected tumor or thrombus, or potential cardiac source of emboli (AUC 7)10
  • Re-evaluation of intracardiac mass when findings would change therapy; no prior imaging in the last three months (AUC 7)10
  • Evaluation of pericardial disease to provide structural and functional assessment and differentiate constrictive vs restrictive physiology (AUC 8)10
  • Assessment of left ventricular pseudoaneurysm, when TTE was inadequate 
  • Identification and characteristics of coronary aneurysms or anomalous coronary arteries (AUC 7)10

Pre-procedure Evaluation for Closure of ASD or PFO (AUC 7)10

  • For assessment of atrial septal anatomy and atrial septal aneurysm
  • For assessment of suitability for percutaneous device closure

Assessment Following LAA Occlusion 

  • For surveillance at 45 days or FDA guidance, if TEE or Heart CT was not done, to assess:
    • Device stability
    • Device leaks
    • To exclude device migration

Pre-Ablation Planning

  • Evaluation of left atrium and pulmonary veins prior to radiofrequency ablation for atrial fibrillation, if cardiac CT has not been done

Aortic Pathology

  • CT, MR, or echocardiogram can be used for screening and follow-up, with CT and MR preferred for imaging beyond the proximal ascending thoracic aorta (AUC 8)10
  • Screening of first-degree relatives with a history of thoracic aortic aneurysm or dissection (AUC 7)10
  • Six-month follow-up after initial diagnosis of thoracic aortic aneurysm to measure rate of change
  • Annual follow-up for an enlarged thoracic aortic aneurysm (usually defined as > 4.4.cm)
  • Biannual (2 times per year) follow-up of enlarged aortic root or showing growth rate ≥ 0.5 cm/year
  • Screening of first-degree relative with a bicuspid aortic valve
  • Re-evaluation (< 1 y) of the size and morphology of the aortic sinuses and ascending aorta in patients with a bicuspid AV and an ascending aortic diameter > 4 cm with 1 of the following:
    • Aortic diameter > 4.5 cm
    • Rapid rate of change in aortic diameter
    • Family history (first-degree relative) of aortic dissection
  • Patients with Turner’s syndrome annually if an abnormality exists; if initial study normal, can have imaging every 5 – 10 years19
  • Evaluation in patients with known or suspected connective tissue disease or genetic condition that predispose to aortic aneurysm or dissection, such as Marfan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos or Loeys-Dietz syndrome (at the time of diagnosis and 6 months thereafter), followed by annual imaging (can be done more frequently if > 4.5 cm or rate of growth > 0.5 cm/year up to twice per year) (AUC 8)10

Congenital Heart Disease 
For all indications below, either CT or CMR can be done

  • All lesions: evaluation prior to planned repair and evaluation for change in clinical status and/or new concerning signs or symptoms
  • Patent Ductus Arteriosus: routine surveillance (1 – 2 years) in a patient with postprocedural aortic obstruction (AUC 7)20
  • In the absence of prior imaging documenting congenital heart disease, a cardiac MRI is appropriate for anomalous pulmonary venous drainage and pulmonary outflow tract obstruction
  • Eisenmenger Syndrome and Pulmonary Hypertension associated with congenital heart disease (CHD) (AUC 7)20
    • Evaluation due to change in pulmonary arterial hypertension-targeted therapy
    • Initial evaluation with suspicion of pulmonary hypertension following CHD surgery
  • Aortic Stenosis or Regurgitation:
    • Routine surveillance (6 – 12 months) in a child with aortic sinus and/or ascending aortic dilation with increasing size (AUC 8)20
    • Routine surveillance (2 – 3 years) in a child with aortic sinus and/or ascending aortic dilation with stable size (CMR only) (AUC 7)20
  • Aortic Coarctation and Interrupted Aortic Arch: (AUC 8)20
    • In the absence of prior imaging documenting congenital heart disease, a cardiac MRI is appropriate for suspected Coarctation (AUC 8)20
    • Routine surveillance (3 – 5 years) in a child or adult with mild aortic coarctation
    • Post procedure (surgical or catheter-based) routine surveillance (3 – 5 years) in an asymptomatic patient to evaluate for aortic arch aneurysms, in-stent stenosis, stent fracture, or endoleak
  • Coronary anomalies
  • Tetralogy of Fallot:
    • Postoperative routine surveillance (2 – 3 years) in a patient with pulmonary regurgitation and preserved ventricular function (CMR only) (AUC 7)20
    • Routine surveillance (2 – 3 years) in an asymptomatic patient with no or mild sequelae (CMR only) (AUC 7)20
    • Routine surveillance (2 – 3 years) in a patient with valvular or ventricular dysfunction, right ventricular outflow tract obstruction, branch pulmonary artery stenosis, arrhythmias, or presence of an RV-to-PA conduit (AUC 8)20
  • Double Outlet Right Ventricle: Routine surveillance (3 – 5 years) in an asymptomatic patient with no or mild sequelae (CMR only)
  • D-Loop Transposition of the Great Arteries (postoperative)
    • Routine surveillance (3 – 5 years) in an asymptomatic patient (AUC 7)
    • Routine surveillance (1 – 2 years) in a patient with dilated aortic root with increasing size, or aortic regurgitation (AUC 8)
    • Routine surveillance (3 – 12 months) in a patient with ≥ moderate systemic AV valve regurgitation, systemic RV dysfunction, LVOT obstruction, or arrhythmias
  • Congenitally Corrected Transposition of the Great Arteries: (AUC 7)20
    • Unrepaired: routine surveillance (3 – 5 years) in an asymptomatic patient
    • Postoperative: routine surveillance (3 – 5 years) in an asymptomatic patient
    • Postoperative anatomic repair: routine surveillance (6 – 12 months) in a patient with valvular or ventricular dysfunction, right or left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, or presence of an RV-to-PA conduit
    • Postoperative physiological repair with VSD closure and/or LV-to-PA conduit: routine surveillance (3 – 12 months) in a patient with ≥ moderate systemic AV valve regurgitation, systemic RV dysfunction, and/or LV-to-PA conduit dysfunction
  • Truncus Arteriosus: routine surveillance (1 – 2 years) in an asymptomatic child or adult with ≥ moderate truncal stenosis and/or regurgitation (AUC 7)20
  • Single-Ventricle Heart Disease:
    • Postoperative routine surveillance (1 – 2 years) in an asymptomatic patient
    • Routine surveillance (1 – 2 years) in an asymptomatic adult postoperative Stage 2 palliation (CMR only) (AUC 7)20
  • Ebstein’s anomaly and Tricuspid Valve dysplasia (only CMR indicated):
    • Evaluation prior to planned repair and evaluation for change in clinical status and/or new concerning signs or symptoms (AUC 7)20
  • Pulmonary Stenosis (only CMR indicated) (AUC 7)20
    • Unrepaired: routine surveillance (3 – 5 years) in an asymptomatic adult with PS and pulmonary artery dilation
    • Postprocedural (surgical or catheter-based): routine surveillance (1 – 3 years) in an asymptomatic adult with moderate or severe sequelae
  • Pulmonary Atresia (postprocedural complete repair): routine surveillance (1 – 3 years) in an asymptomatic adult with ≥ moderate sequelae (AUC 7)20

Coronary Artery Disease Evaluation 
CMR, which is done pharmacologically, is used for the assessment of coronary artery disease, and can be performed if the patient would otherwise be a candidate for a pharmacologic MPI.

  • If the patient can walk and is having an MPI for another reason (LBBB, CABG, etc.), MPI is chosen over CMR
  • Assessment of LV wall motion to identify patients with akinetic segments that would benefit from coronary revascularization
  • To identify the extent and location of myocardial necrosis in patients with chronic or acute ischemic heart disease
  • Follow-up of known CAD
    • Coronary stenosis of unclear significance on previous coronary angiography12,21
  • To diagnose microvascular dysfunction in patients with persistent stable anginal chest pain with suspected ischemia and nonobstructive coronary artery disease (INOCA) as documented in provider notes (no MPI diversion required).22

Combination Studies
Chest MRA and Heart MRI

  • When medical necessity criteria indications are met for each Chest MRA (see CAM for Chest MRA) and Heart MRI or CT (see CAM  for Heart CT) (such as for certain congenital malformations when evaluation of extra cardiac and cardiac structures are needed)

Rationale/Background

  • CMR in CAD (21,25,26) is often required when transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) provide inadequate imaging data.
  • Stress CMR for assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD) is performed pharmacologically either as a vasodilator perfusion imaging with gadolinium contrast or dobutamine inotropic wall motion (ventriculography).
  • With respect to CAD evaluation, since CMR is only pharmacologic (non-exercise stress), and stress echocardiography (SE) or myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) provide similar information about CAD:
    • Requests for stress CMR require diversion to exercise SE first, and to exercise MPI second.
    • Exemptions for the diversion to SE or exercise MPI:
      • If body habitus or marked obesity (e.g., BMI ≥ 40) would interfere significantly with imaging with SE and MPI27
      • Evaluation of young (< 55 years old) patients with documented complex CAD, who are likely to need frequent non-invasive coronary ischemia evaluation and/or frequent radiation exposure from other testing28
  • Heart magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging method that uses powerful magnets and radio waves to create pictures of the heart. It does not use radiation (X-rays).

AUC Score
A reasonable diagnostic or therapeutic procedure care can be defined as that for which the expected clinical benefits outweigh the associated risks, enhancing patient care and health outcomes in a cost-effective manner.5

  • Appropriate Care — Median Score 7 – 9
  • May Be Appropriate Care — Median Score 4 – 6
  • Rarely Appropriate Care — Median Score 1 – 3

Definitions

  • Stable patients without known CAD fall into 2 categories:21,25,26
    • Asymptomatic, for whom global risk of CAD events can be determined from coronary risk factors, using calculators available online
    • Symptomatic, for whom we estimate the pretest probability that their chest-related symptoms are due to clinically significant (≥ 50%) CAD (below):
  • The THREE Types of Chest Pain or Discomfort
    • Typical Angina (Definite) is defined as including all 3 characteristics:
      • Substernal chest pain or discomfort with characteristic quality and duration
      • Provoked by exertion or emotional stress
      • Relieved by rest and/or nitroglycerine
    • Atypical Angina (Probable) has only 2 of the above characteristics
    • Nonanginal Chest Pain/Discomfort has only 0 – 1 of the above characteristics
  • The medical record should provide enough detail to establish the type of chest pain. From those details, the pretest probability of obstructive CAD is estimated from the Diamond Forrester Table below, recognizing that in some cases multiple additional coronary risk factors could increase pretest probability:21

Diamond Forrester Table29,30

Age (Years) Gender Typical/ Definite Angina Pectoris Atypical/ Probable Angina Pectoris Nonanginal Chest Pain
≤ 39 Men Intermediate Intermediate Low
Women Intermediate Very low Very low
40 – 49 Men High Intermediate Intermediate
Women Intermediate Low Very low
50 – 59 Men High Intermediate Intermediate
Women Intermediate Intermediate Low
≥ 60 Men High Intermediate Intermediate
Women High Intermediate Intermediate

Very low: < 5% pretest probability of CAD, usually not requiring stress evaluation
Low: 5% 
 10% pretest probability of CAD
Intermediate: 10%
 90% pretest probability of CAD
High: > 90% pretest probability of CA

  • For additional information on stress imaging, please refer to CAM 747 for Myocardial Perfusion Imaging.

Acronyms/Abbreviations
ARVD/C  Arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia/cardiomyopathy

ASD       Atrial septal defect
CABG     Coronary artery bypass grafting surgery
CAD       Coronary artery disease
CMR       Cardiac magnetic resonance (imaging)
CT          Computed tomography
ECG       Electrocardiogram
EF          Ejection fraction
HCM       Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
ICD        Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator
LAA        Left atrial appendage
LBBB      Left bundle-branch block
LGE        Late gadolinium enhancement
LV          Left ventricle
LVH        Left ventricular hypertrophy
LVOT      Left ventricular outflow
MPI        Myocardial perfusion imaging
MR         Mitral regurgitation
MR(I)      Magnetic resonance (imaging)
PA          Pulmonary artery
PET        Positron emission tomography
PFO        Patent foramen ovale
PS          Pulmonary stenosis
RV          Right ventricle
SCD       Sudden cardiac death
SE          Stress echocardiography
SRT        Septal reduction therapy
TAVR      Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement
TTE        Transthoracic Echo
TEE        Transesophageal Echo
VT          Ventricular tachycardia

References

  1. Brignole M, Auricchio A, Baron-Esquivias G, Bordachar P, Boriani G et al. 2013 ESC Guidelines on cardiac pacing and cardiac resynchronization therapy: the Task Force on cardiac pacing and resynchronization therapy of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC). Developed in collaboration with the European Heart Rhythm Association (EHRA). Eur Heart J. Aug 2013; 34: 2281-329. 10.1093/eurheartj/eht150.  
  2. Indik J, Gimbel J, Abe H, Alkmim-Teixeira R, Birgersdotter-Green U et al. 2017 HRS expert consensus statement on magnetic resonance imaging and radiation exposure in patients with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices. Heart Rhythm. Jul 2017; 14: e97-e153. 10.1016/j.hrthm.2017.04.025. 
  3. Nazarian S, Hansford R, Rahsepar A, Weltin V, McVeigh D et al. Safety of Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients with Cardiac Devices. N Engl J Med. Dec 28, 2017; 377: 2555-2564. 10.1056/NEJMoa1604267. 
  4. Russo R, Costa H, Silva P, Anderson J, Arshad A et al. Assessing the Risks Associated with MRI in Patients with a Pacemaker or Defibrillator. N Engl J Med. Feb 23, 2017; 376: 755-764. 10.1056/NEJMoa1603265. 
  5. Hendel R, Lindsay B, Allen J, Brindis R, Patel M et al. ACC Appropriate Use Criteria Methodology: 2018 Update: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Appropriate Use Criteria Task Force. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2018; 71: 935-948. 10.1016/j.jacc.2018.01.007. 
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  8. Fitch K, Bernstein S, Aguilar M, Burnand B, LaCalle J et al. The RAND/UCLA Appropriateness Method User’s Manual. 2001.
  9. Patel M, Spertus J, Brindis R, Hendel R, Douglas P et al. ACCF proposed method for evaluating the appropriateness of cardiovascular. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2005; 46: 1606-13. 10.1016/j.jacc.2005.08.030. 
  10. Doherty J, Kort S, Mehran R, Schoenhagen P, Soman P et al. ACC/AATS/AHA/ASE/ASNC/HRS/SCAI/SCCT/SCMR/STS 2019 Appropriate Use Criteria for Multimodality Imaging in the Assessment of Cardiac Structure and Function in Nonvalvular Heart Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Appropriate Use Criteria Task Force, American Association for Thoracic Surgery, American Heart Association, American Society of Echocardiography, American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, Heart Rhythm Society, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, and the Society of Thoracic Surgeons. J Am Coll Cardiol. Feb 5, 2019; 73: 488-516. 10.1016/j.jacc.2018.10.038. 
  11. Patel M, White R, Abbara S, Bluemke D, Herfkens R et al. 2013 ACCF/ACR/ASE/ASNC/SCCT/SCMR appropriate utilization of cardiovascular imaging in heart failure: a joint report of the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria Committee and the American College of Cardiology Foundation Appropriate Use Criteria Task Force. J Am Coll Cardiol. May 28, 2013; 61: 2207-31. 10.1016/j.jacc.2013.02.005. 
  12. Heidenreich P, Bozkurt B, Aguilar D, Allen L, Byun J et al. 2022 AHA/ACC/HFSA Guideline for the Management of Heart Failure: Executive Summary: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2022; 145: e876-e894. 10.1161/CIR.0000000000001062. 
  13. Birnie D, Nery P, Ha A, Beanlands R. Cardiac Sarcoidosis. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2016; 68: 411-21. 10.1016/j.jacc.2016.03.605. 
  14. Ommen S, Mital S, Burke M, Day S, Deswal A et al. 2020 AHA/ACC Guideline for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. Dec 22, 2020; 76: e159-e240.10.1016/j.jacc.2020.08.045. 
  15. Doherty J, Kort S, Mehran R, Schoenhagen P, Soman P. ACC/AATS/AHA/ASE/ASNC/HRS/SCAI/SCCT/SCMR/STS 2017 Appropriate Use Criteria for Multimodality Imaging in Valvular Heart Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Appropriate Use Criteria Task Force, American Association for Thoracic Surgery, American Heart Association, American Society of Echocardiography, American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, Heart Rhythm Society, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons. J Am Coll Cardiol. Sep 26, 2017; 70: 1647-1672. 10.1016/j.jacc.2017.07.732. 
  16. Otto C, Kumbhani D, Alexander K, Calhoon J, Desai M et al. 2017 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway for Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in the Management of Adults With Aortic Stenosis: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Task Force on Clinical Expert Consensus Documents. J Am Coll Cardiol. Mar 14, 2017; 69: 1313-1346. 10.1016/j.jacc.2016.12.006. 
  17. Bonow R, O'Gara P, Adams D, Badhwar V, Bavaria J et al. 2020 Focused Update of the 2017 ACC Expert Consensus Decision Pathway on the Management of Mitral Regurgitation: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Solution Set Oversight Committee. J Am Coll Cardiol. May 5, 2020; 75: 2236-2270. 10.1016/j.jacc.2020.02.005. 
  18. Agricola E, Ingallina G, Ancona F, Biondi F, Margonato D et al. Evolution of interventional imaging in structural heart disease. Eur Heart J Suppl. 2023; 25: C189 - C199. 10.1093/eurheartjsupp/suad044. 
  19. Isselbacher E M, Preventza O, Black J H, Augoustides J G, Beck A W et al. 2022 ACC/AHA Guideline for the Diagnosis and Management of Aortic Disease: A Report of the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. Circulation. 2022; 146: e334-e482. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000001106. 
  20. Sachdeva R, Valente A, Armstrong A, Cook S, Han B et al. ACC/AHA/ASE/HRS/ISACHD/SCAI/SCCT/SCMR/SOPE 2020 Appropriate Use Criteria for Multimodality Imaging During the Follow-Up Care of Patients With Congenital Heart Disease: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Solution Set Oversight Committee and Appropriate Use Criteria Task Force, American Heart Association, American Society of Echocardiography, Heart Rhythm Society, International Society for Adult Congenital Heart Disease, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, and Society of Pediatric Echocardiography. J Am Coll Cardiol. Feb 18, 2020; 75: 657-703. 10.1016/j.jacc.2019.10.002. 
  21. Winchester D, Maron D, Blankstein R, Chang I, Kirtane A et al. ACC/AHA/ASE/ASNC/ASPC/HFSA/HRS/SCAI/SCCT/SCMR/STS 2023 Multimodality Appropriate Use Criteria for the Detection and Risk Assessment of Chronic Coronary Disease. J Cardiovasc Magn Reson. 2023; 25: 58. 10.1186/s12968-023-00958-5. 
  22. Gulati M, Levy P, Mukherjee D, Amsterdam E, Bhatt D et al. 2021 AHA/ACC/ASE/CHEST/SAEM/SCCT/SCMR Guideline for the Evaluation and Diagnosis of Chest Pain: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. Nov 30, 2021; 78: e187-e285. 10.1016/j.jacc.2021.07.053. 
  23. Washington State Health Care Authority. WSHCA Health Technology Clinical Committee: 20211119A – Use of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Angiography (CMRA) in Adults and Children. [Final Adoption: March 18, 2022]. 2022; https://www.hca.wa.gov/assets/program/cmra-final-findings-and-decision-2022-03-18.pdf. 
  24. Pennell D. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance. Circulation. Feb 9, 2010; 121: 692-705. 10.1161/circulationaha.108.811547. 
  25. Fihn S, Gardin J, Abrams J, Berra K, Blankenship J et al. 2012 ACCF/AHA/ACP/AATS/PCNA/SCAI/STS guideline for the diagnosis and management of patients with stable ischemic heart disease: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation/American Heart Association task force on practice guidelines, and the American College of Physicians, American Association for Thoracic Surgery, Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons. Circulation. Dec 18, 2012; 126: e354-471. 10.1161/CIR.0b013e318277d6a0. 
  26. Montalescot G, Sechtem U, Achenbach S, Andreotti F, Arden C et al. 2013 ESC guidelines on the management of stable coronary artery disease: the Task Force on the management of stable coronary artery disease of the European Society of Cardiology. Eur Heart J. Oct 2013; 34: 2949-3003. 10.1093/eurheartj/eht296. 
  27. Cortez R, Okoshi M, K O. A Review of the Roles and Limitations of Noninvasive Imaging Methods for Investigating Cardiovascular Disease in Individuals with Obesity. Med Sci Monit. 2022; 28: e937362. 10.12659/MSM.937362. 
  28. Hirshfeld J J, Ferrari V, Bengel F, Bergersen L, Chambers C et al. 2018 ACC/HRS/NASCI/SCAI/SCCT Expert Consensus Document on Optimal Use of Ionizing Radiation in Cardiovascular Imaging-Best Practices for Safety and Effectiveness, Part 1: Radiation Physics and Radiation Biology: A Report of the American College of Cardiology Task Force on Expert Consensus Decision Pathways Developed in Collaboration With Mended Hearts. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv. Aug 1, 2018; 92: 203-221. 10.1002/ccd.27660. 
  29. Diamond G, Forrester J. Analysis of probability as an aid in the clinical diagnosis of coronary-artery disease. N Engl J Med. 1979; 300: 1350-8. 10.1056/NEJM197906143002402. 
  30. Wolk M, Bailey S, Doherty J, Douglas P, Hendel R et al. ACCF/AHA/ASE/ASNC/HFSA/HRS/SCAI/SCCT/SCMR/STS 2013 multimodality appropriate use criteria for the detection and risk assessment of stable ischemic heart disease: a report of the American College of Cardiology Foundation Appropriate Use Criteria Task Force, American Heart Association, American Society of Echocardiography, American Society of Nuclear Cardiology, Heart Failure Society of America, Heart Rhythm Society, Society for Cardiovascular Angiography and Interventions, Society of Cardiovascular Computed Tomography, Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance, and Society of Thoracic Surgeons. J Am Coll Cardiol. Feb 4, 2014; 63: 380-406. 10.1016/j.jacc.2013.11.009.

Coding Section

Codes

Number

Description

CPT

75557

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for morphology and function without contrast material;

 

75559

with stress imaging

 

75561

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for morphology and function without contrast material(s), followed by contrast material(s) and further sequences;

 

75563 

with stress imaging 

 

75565 

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for velocity flow mapping 

  0698T Quantitative magnetic resonance for analysis of tissue composition (eg, fat, iron, water content), including multiparametric data acquisition, data preparation and transmission, interpretation and report, obtained with diagnostic mri examination of the same anatomy (eg, organ, gland, tissue, target structure); multiple organs (list separately in addition to code for primary procedure)

Procedure and diagnosis codes on Medical Policy documents are included only as a general reference tool for each policy. They may not be all-inclusive. 

This medical policy was developed through consideration of peer-reviewed medical literature generally recognized by the relevant medical community, U.S. FDA approval status, nationally accepted standards of medical practice and accepted standards of medical practice in this community,  and other non-affiliated technology evaluation centers, reference to federal regulations, other plan medical policies, and accredited national guidelines.

"Current Procedural Terminology © American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved" 

History From 2019 Forward 

12/02/2024 Annual review, policy reformatted for clarity and consistency including adding AUC scores and combination studies section. Also updating rationale and references.
12/01/2023 Annual review, no change to policy intent. Updating entire policy for consistency.
12/16/2022 Annual review, numerous updates to coverage criteria.)
12/01/2021  Annual review, no change to policy intent. Reorganizing policy criteria for clarity. 
11/09/2020  Annual review, significant revision to policy language related to cardiomyopathy and heart failure, intra and extra cardiac structures, aortic pathology and congenital heart disease. Also updating description and references. 
12/16/2019         NEW POLICY
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