Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance CMR Board Exam Review Course

Course Overview

The 2026 Society for Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (SCMR) CMR Board Review Course is a comprehensive educational program developed to prepare physicians, technologists, and cardiovascular imaging professionals for the Certification Board of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance (CBCMR) examination. Combining evidence-based instruction with practical clinical applications, the course provides an in-depth review of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) principles and advanced imaging techniques.

Participants will strengthen their understanding of MRI physics, imaging protocols, safety standards, image acquisition, and interpretation while reviewing a broad spectrum of cardiovascular diseases. Through expert-led presentations, case-based learning, and board-style review sessions, attendees will enhance their diagnostic skills and build confidence for both board certification and everyday clinical practice.

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of basic and advanced MRI physics, including pulse sequences, spatial encoding, and parametric mapping.
• Identify and minimize common CMR artifacts to improve image quality and diagnostic accuracy.
• Evaluate left and right ventricular function, valvular hemodynamics, and cardiovascular flow measurements.
• Apply CMR appropriately in the diagnosis and management of ischemic heart disease, cardiomyopathies, pericardial diseases, and cardiac masses.
• Interpret complex cardiovascular magnetic resonance studies in adult and pediatric congenital heart disease.
• Implement current CMR safety standards, including appropriate use of gadolinium-based contrast agents and imaging patients with implanted cardiovascular devices.

Course Topics

Note: The course consists of continuous conference recordings that include all individual presentations within each session.

Day 1

Session 1: Fundamentals of MRI

A comprehensive introduction to the core principles of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, including:

• Welcome and course introduction
• Basic MRI physics
• Pulse sequences for MR imaging
• Principles of fast imaging
• MRI safety
• Patient preparation, imaging devices, and artifact management

Session 2: CMR Imaging Protocols and Image Acquisition

Develop practical skills in selecting and performing optimal imaging protocols, including:

• Cine imaging
• Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging
• Stress perfusion imaging
• Flow quantification
• Parametric mapping
• Image optimization techniques
• Troubleshooting during image acquisition
• Recognition and reduction of common imaging artifacts

Session 3: CMR in Ischemic Heart Disease and Related Conditions

Learn the clinical applications of CMR in cardiovascular disease evaluation, including:

• Acute coronary syndromes
• Acute myocarditis and the Lake Louise Criteria
• Pericardial disease
• Cardiac involvement in systemic diseases and infections
• Cardiac masses and tumors

Day 2

Session 4: Non-Ischemic Heart Disease

Review the role of CMR in diagnosing and managing non-ischemic cardiac disorders, including:

• Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM)
• Cardiac sarcoidosis and arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC)
• Infiltrative and storage diseases
• Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and left ventricular non-compaction
• Iron overload cardiomyopathy
• Differentiating athlete's heart from cardiomyopathy

Session 5: Valvular and Congenital Heart Disease

Explore advanced imaging techniques for structural heart disease, including:

• Valvular heart disease
• Common congenital heart disease
• Complex congenital heart disease
• Evaluation of intracardiac shunts using CMR

Session 6: Vascular Imaging

Examine the application of CMR in vascular disease assessment, including:

• Aortic diseases
• Pulmonary arteries and pulmonary veins
• Coronary artery imaging
• Peripheral vascular disease
• Extracardiac and extravascular findings

Target Audience

This course is designed for healthcare professionals involved in cardiovascular magnetic resonance and cardiac imaging, including:

• Cardiologists
• Radiologists
• Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Technologists
• Cardiology Fellows
• Radiology Fellows
• Medical Physicists
• Researchers and Scientists specializing in cardiovascular imaging

The program is particularly valuable for clinicians and imaging specialists preparing for the CBCMR certification examination or seeking an advanced, structured review of contemporary cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging and its clinical applications.