High field cardiac magnetic resonance imaging--current and future perspectives

Potential advantages of high field cardiac magnetic resonance imaging include superior signal-to-noise ratio, image contrast and spectral separation. These might be used to improve spatial and/or temporal resolution and imaging speed. However, high field imaging presents new challenges to the operator, including increased magnetic field heterogeneity, susceptibility, artefacts and higher specific absorption rate. Recently, studies have reported on the clinical utility of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging at 3 Tesla in the assessment of myocardial function, perfusion and viability, and coronary arteries. The results of these clinical studies are reviewed, as well as emerging applications in myocardial tagging and cardiac spectroscopy.