Assessment of coronary artery disease with a combined magnetic resonance examination

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging provides morphological and functional data relevant to the assessment of coronary artery disease (CAD). A wide range of such data can be acquired in a single multiparametric imaging session. In stable CAD, a combined CMR examination comprising assessment of cardiac function, perfusion, and myocardial viability can be used to detect the presence of CAD and to determine the appropriateness of coronary revascularization. In acute coronary syndromes, a combined CMR examination can be used for the differential diagnosis of myocarditis and other acute cardiac disease, for risk-stratification of patients after myocardial infarction and for the targeted assessment of complications of myocardial infarction. This article overviews the CMR methods that are available for assessment of CAD and describes situations when combined CMR examinations can play a role in its diagnosis and differential diagnosis.