[Magnetic resonance tomography of the heart]

Magnetic resonance imaging is a rarely performed procedure in cardiac disease, mainly due to easily available alternative techniques, especially echocardiography. MR imaging may, however, provide unique anatomical and functional information and represents a valuable supplement to the alternative invasive and non-invasive modalities. Clinical indications for MR imaging of the heart include congenital heart disease, acute and chronic ischaemic heart disease, valvular heart disease, cardiomyopathy, right ventricular dysplasia, pericardial disease, and cardiac tumours. In the near future, MR imaging may provide a complete "one-stop" evaluation of cardiac disease.