title: Magnetic resonance coronary angiography.
abstract: Magnetic resonance coronary angiography (MRCA) has witnessed tremendous technical advances over the past decade. Although high-quality images of the coronary arteries have been demonstrated, this imaging modality is not performed routinely today. The fundamental properties of the coronary arteries deterring noninvasive imaging are well known. This article provides an overview of the developmental efforts to overcome these challenges, and highlights key technical and clinical advances. The future prospect of MRCA depends on clinical implementation of the technique. In order to meet this challenge, the following issues must be addressed: contrast- and signal-to-noise ratio, temporal and spatial resolution, and scan protocol.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Stanford University Medical Center, 300 Pasteur Drive, H2157, Stanford, CA 94305-5233, USA. pyang@cvmed.stanford.edu
authors.forename: Phillip C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Michael V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: McConnell
authors.forename: Dwight G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Nishimura
authors.forename: Bob S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Hu
mesh_terms: D017023:Coronary Angiography; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D018810:Magnetic Resonance Angiography