title: MR coronary angiography: 2001 update.
abstract: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) has developed multiple techniques that have made it possible to overcome the substantial difficulties in imaging coronary arteries. Tortuous small coronary arteries are imaged in 3D-volume data sets. Cardiac motion is reduced by diastolic gating with ultra-fast sequences. Respiration is suppressed by breath-holding or respiratory gating. Signal-to-noise can be increased with contrast agents. In clinical trials CMR has been successfully used to assess coronary artery stenoses, coronary artery bypass grafts, and anomalous coronary arteries. Recent developments in steady state imaging, volume selective imaging with tracking, parallel imaging techniques, vessel wall imaging, and intravascular contrast agents may soon enable CMR of the coronary arteries to become an effective and widespread clinical tool.
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Unit, Royal Brompton Hospital, London.
authors.forename: N H
authors.initials: NH
authors.lastname: Bunce
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lorenz
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Pennell
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media; D017023:Coronary Angiography / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D003331:Coronary Vessels / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media