The many facets of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging: review of background, clinical utility, and increasing use in the community hospital.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (CMR or cardiac MRI) has advanced dramatically in the last ten years and has been proven a reliable and flexible method for cardiac diagnosis. Stress perfusion MRI is a new technique that accurately detects coronary heart disease with high sensitivity and specificity. The role of CMR is also increasing for the evaluation of congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy. Late gadolinium enhancement highlights areas of myocardial scar and helps predict prognosis. CMR usually complements, but does not fully replace, other diagnostic modalities. Careful patient selection is required to ensure safety in the presence of this powerful magnetic field. MRI gives unique tissue characterization without ionizing radiation. No longer used just for esoteric conditions, CMR is becoming common in the community hospital.