{
  "abstract": "Background Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) is an essential diagnostic tool for comprehensive assessment of cardiac structure, function, and tissue characterisation. However, access to and utilisation of CMR in rural healthcare settings remain limited and underexplored.Objective This study aimed to evaluate the clinical indications, utilisation patterns, diagnostic yield, and impact on patient management of CMR in a rural hospital between 2024 and 2020.Methods A retrospective systematic review was conducted of 114 CMR examinations performed at a rural general hospital from January 2024 to January 2020. Data were extracted from the Radiology Information System and Picture Archiving and Communication System and included patient demographics, referral characteristics, clinical indications, imaging protocols, image quality, diagnostic findings, and subsequent management outcomes. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed.Results The cohort had a mean age of 55 years, with 60.5% male patients. Most examinations were performed in outpatient settings (72.8%) and were non-urgent. The most common indications were cardiomyopathy assessment (18.4%), myocarditis evaluation (13.2%), and ischaemic assessment (10.5%). Gadolinium-based contrast was used in 97.4% of studies. All examinations were diagnostically adequate, with 64.0% rated as satisfactory and 36.0% as good or very good. Myocardial scar or fibrosis (44.7%) and myocarditis (21.1%) were the most frequent findings. CMR influenced clinical management in 99.1% of cases, including diagnostic confirmation, detection of new pathology, and changes in treatment. No adverse events were reported.Conclusion CMR was safely and effectively utilised in this rural hospital, demonstrating high diagnostic quality and substantial clinical impact. Despite limitations in access to advanced protocols such as stress perfusion imaging, CMR remains a valuable tool for reducing diagnostic uncertainty and guiding patient management in rural settings. Continued development of rural CMR services may help reduce disparities in cardiovascular care.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "NHS Lothian, Edinburgh, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Arslan Raja"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Nain Tara Raja"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Sara Raja"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "NHS Gramphian, Inverness, United Kingdom"
      ],
      "name": "Alex Ching"
    }
  ],
  "title": "224 A systematic review of the clinical indications and utilisation patterns of cardiac MRI in a rural hospital (2024–2020)",
  "uid": "b98fb19a-3f8a-5e33-80e2-f40fd3aecdd7"
}