Magnetic resonance imaging of the heart allows a quick and exact evaluation of global and regional pump function, regional myocardial wall motion, myocardial perfusion and coronary blood flow. Some of these parameters must also be analyzed under stress conditions to identify myocardial ischemia.

By combining these functional parameters with high-resolution anatomical images, which are even sufficient to depict the coronary arteries, magnetic resonance imaging has become one of the most important noninvasive procedures to study the condition of the heart and is being increasingly used in the clinical setting. Therefore, it is important not only to optimize and evaluate the technique in specialized centers, but also for a broad variety of users to become familiar with the wide range of applications for this method.

In this book, which is aimed at cardiologists, radiologists, and technical assistants, the physical fundamentals and scanning techniques are clearly described. In addition, practical guidelines for the anatomical planning of the examination and for patient care are offered. The accompanying CD-ROM contains additional figures and numerous videos.

A Basics

Physical principles of MR imaging
Pulse sequences
Magnetic resonance contrast agents
MR angiography methods
Methods for flow measurements
to motion suppression and motion correction
Practical handling
B Clinical applications
Anatomical planning
Indications for cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging
Ventricular function parameters and mass measured by MRI: acquisition, postprocessing and reference values*
Left ventricular myocardial tagging
Heart valve function
Congenital heart disease and cardiomyopathies*
Cardiac tumors and masses*
Myocarditis and pericarditis*
MR angiography of the aorta*
Peripheral magnetic resonance angiography*
Dobutamine stress MR*
Pathophysiology of myocardial perfusion
Absolute quantification of myocardial perfusion with magnetic resonance first-pass imaging*
Myocardial infarction and viability*
Flow measurements
Coronary artery imaging*
C Future developments
Magnetic resonance imaging of atherosclerosis: classical and molecular imaging
Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the heart
MR-guided cardiovascular interventions
Applications of contrast agents in cardiac MRI - pitfalls and new development.