Detection of coronary artery disease using MR imaging with dipyridamole infusion

Exercise testing in the magnetic resonance (MR) scanner is difficult because of space restriction and movement artefact, which limit its use in the investigation of patients with suspected coronary artery disease. Pharmacological stress, however, can be used as a substitute for exercise. Therefore, a patient with angina underwent MR ventricular wall motion studies before and after intravenous dipyridamole. Reversible abnormal regional contraction of the myocardium was demonstrated and correlated with a reversible perfusion defect on subsequent thallium myocardial perfusion imaging and a blocked artery at coronary angiography. A clinically useful investigative procedure may be developed.