Magnetic resonance imaging applications to cardiac diagnosis

Applications of MRI to cardiac diagnosis have improved and expanded. Thus, while MRI was initially useful for demonstrating cardiac anatomy, congenital malformations, thrombi, and masses, current techniques can demonstrate cardiac function, including evaluation of valvular disease and cardiac shunts along with cardiac flow quantitation. Further refinements have led to the demonstration of coronary artery anatomy. In the future, a comprehensive cardiovascular evaluation may be available with MRI.