Technical developments in assessment of function and coronary artery disease using magnetic resonance imaging

Recent technical advances in magnetic resonance (MR) imaging have allowed the development and use of multiple applications directed towards the diagnosis of coronary artery disease. Some of the more important aspects considered in this assessment are functional parameters (perfusion, myocardial wall function, and coronary blood flow) in addition to direct visualization of the coronary artery lumen. The versatility of MR imaging allows such multiple and diverse studies, e.g., that of function and anatomy, to be performed during the same examination session. This paper describes the latest MR imaging techniques for coronary artery visualization and myocardial function.