Assessment of myocardial systolic function by tagged magnetic resonance imaging

Tagged magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can assess myocardial function by tracking the motion of the myocardium during the various phases of the cardiac cycle. In contrast to experimental methods, such as implantation of radiopaque markers or sonomicrometry, tagged MRI is noninvasive, carries no risk of radiation exposure, and can be used in the context of clinical routine. For the physician, using tagged MRI to its fullest potential requires an understanding of the technique and the derived parameters of myocardial systolic function. This work describes the tagged MRI technique and explains the quantification of systolic function with respect to the underlying theory of the mechanics of a continuous medium. The advantages of tagged MRI in coronary artery disease are emphasized, and currently available data on tagged MRI in coronary artery disease are reviewed.