Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Technological progress Although cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is now recognised as the imaging method of choice for the morphological study of the heart, recent technological progress have widened its indications to functional analysis of the heart rate, perfusion and contractility. Functional assessment The possibility of conducting pharmacological stress tests enhances the functional exploration of cardiac perfusion and contractility. The rapid sequences in apnea, tissue marking and injection of contrast products are all elements that help to refine the study of the locoregional consequences of an ischemia: does the myocardial tissue contract normally ? Is it sufficiently perfused ? Is it still viable ? The benefits of a non-invasive technique The MRI offers clinicians a non-invasive and non-radiating imaging technique that is the perfect supplement to echocardiography. A reliable angio-coronary LRI technique would, for the first time, permit exploration of the coronary vascularisation, tissue perfusion and resulting contractility. (C) 2004, Masson, Paris.