title: [Indications for MRI in coronary disease].
abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a useful, even essential, examination in recent years, for the exploration of patients with coronary disease. MRI has several different roles, even though it remains insufficiently requested because insufficiently available. Today it is the reference examination for assessing indicators of ventricular function (volume, ejection fraction, ventricular mass); their prognostic value and importance in determining treatment are well recognized. In the postinfarction period, MRI using late enhancement techniques allows a precise analysis of the extent of necrosis, in terms of segments and transmural involvement. MRI is indicated, especially preoperatively, in cases of ventricular remodeling and its consequences (functional impairment, aneurysms, parietal thrombus). MRI with pharmacological stress may also be used as a tool for detecting myocardial ischemia; in this case, perfusion or first-pass sequences should be used. On the other hand, cardiac MRI for morphologic exploration of the coronary network and measurement of stenosis is not yet routine.
authors.affiliation: Fédération de radiologie, CHU de Rouen, F-76100 Rouen Cedex, France. jean-nicolas.dacher@univ-rouen.fr
authors.forename: Jean-Nicolas
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Dacher
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bertrand
authors.forename: Gérald
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gahide
authors.forename: Christophe
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tron
authors.forename: Alain
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Manrique
mesh_terms: D002311:Cardiomyopathy, Dilated / Q000175:diagnosis; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000209:etiology; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009203:Myocardial Infarction / Q000473:pathology; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology; D009336:Necrosis / Q000473:pathology; D020257:Ventricular Remodeling