Magnetic Resonance Coronary Artery Imaging

Coronary artery imaging with magnetic resonance imaging carries the potential for a noninvasive, essentially risk-free screening test for those at risk for coronary heart disease. Many physiologic and anatomic challenges including cardiac and respiratory motion and the small size, tortuosity, and variable flow characteristics of the coronary arteries hamper efforts to achieve this goal. This article reviews the efforts of several research groups to surmount these difficulties through the use of 2D and 3D techniques; spin echo, gradient echo, and ultrafast sequences; saturation pulses; and contrast agents. Promising results have been and continue to be reported although no obvious optimal solution has yet been determined.