[Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging: importance in coronary artery disease]

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has the ability to assess the morphology, function, perfusion and evidence of myocardial scar tissue in a single examination. Moreover, cardiovascular MRI can be carried out with no exposure to radiation. Stress MRI can be performed by assessment of dobutamine-induced wall motion abnormalities or by first-pass adenosine perfusion imaging. Compared to stress echocardiography or single photon emission computed tomography, stress MRI is at least as accurate; however, patients with ferromagnetic materials or other contraindications for MRI, such as intolerance of gadolinium contrast agents cannot be examined. The quality of stress MRI depends on where the examination is being performed and should always be regarded in context to other clinical information, such as from patient history and electrocardiography.