[Applications in cardiovascular MRI and CT--clinical indications and training]

The recent technical advances in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and multislice computed tomography (MSCT) have led to a routine use of both methods in clinical cardiology. MRI is established for the diagnosis of complex congenital heart disease, aortic and pericardial disease as well as cardiac tumours. New indications include the diagnosis of myocardial infarction and inflammatory heart disease as well as myocardial perfusion measurements. CT is used for the diagnosis of coronary calcification for risk stratification. Moreover, stenoses of the coronary arteries and bypass grafts can be depicted using contrast enhanced multi-slice CT in selected patients. Training of cardiologists in the field of MRI has been defined by the Deutsche Arztetag in 2003 and demands 24 months of full-time training. At least 12 months must be spent in a department of radiology. Alternatively, the approach of the Landesärztekammer Baden-Württemberg is presented.