PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Constantin B. Marcu
AU  - Aernout M. Beek
AU  - Albert C. van Rossum
TI  - Clinical applications of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging
AID  - 10.1503/cmaj.060566
DP  - 2006 Oct 10
TA  - Canadian Medical Association Journal
PG  - 911--917
VI  - 175
IP  - 8
4099  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/175/8/911.short
4100  - http://www.cmaj.ca/content/175/8/911.full
SO  - CMAJ2006 Oct 10; 175
AB  - Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has evolved from an effective research tool into a clinically proven, safe and comprehensive imaging modality. It provides anatomic and functional information in acquired and congenital heart disease and is the most precise technique for quantification of ventricular volumes, function and mass. Owing to its excellent interstudy reproducibility, cardiovascular MRI is the optimal method for assessment of changes in ventricular parameters after therapeutic intervention. Delayed contrast enhancement is an accurate and robust method used in the diagnosis of ischemic and nonischemic cardiomyopathies and less common diseases, such as cardiac sarcoidosis and myocarditis. First-pass magnetic contrast myocardial perfusion is becoming an alternative to radionuclide techniques for the detection of coronary atherosclerotic disease. In this review we outline the techniques used in cardiovascular MRI and discuss the most common clinical applications.