Functional cardiovascular evaluation by magnetic resonance imaging.

The pursuit of capabilities for the evaluation of functional aspects of cardiovascular disease by MRI has resulted in the development and implementation of a number of interesting techniques that can be performed on a conventional scanner. Some currently available techniques emphasize the production of anatomically accurate images representing different phases of the cardiac cycle; others demonstrate physical changes within the acquired data that reflect motion, such as blood flow. Magnitude data from spin-echo and gradient-echo sequences can be used to produce dynamic images of the cardiovascular system. Phase data can be used to generate flow-based images reflecting the movement of blood protons. These techniques can be applied in the evaluation of ventricular function, valve function, or functional abnormalities in either congenital cardiovascular disease or great artery disease.