Magnetic resonance imaging of the coronary arteries

Despite progress in prevention and early diagnosis, coronary artery disease (CAD) remains one of the leading causes of mortality in the world. For many years, invasive X-ray coronary angiography has been the method of choice for the diagnosis of significant CAD. However, up to 40% of patients referred for elective X-ray coronary angiography have no clinically significant stenoses. These patients still remain subjected to the potential risks of X-ray angiography. As an alternative, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is currently one of the most promising techniques for noninvasive imaging of the coronary arteries. Over the past two decades, many technical developments have been implemented that have led to major improvements in coronary MRI. Nowadays, both anatomical and functional information can be obtained with high temporal and spatial resolution and good image quality. In this review we will discuss the technical foundations and current status of clinical coronary MRI, and some potential future applications.