[MRI in cardiology: clinical applications and perspectives].

MRI is an effective tool in the evaluation of cardiovascular diseases. With continued improvements in MR angiography, velocity mapping, myocardial tagging, imaging speed and display, it is anticipated that MRI will play an ever-increasing role in the morphological evaluation of many cardiovascular anomalies. The need for quantification in cardiology has led to the development of a variety of techniques to assess cardiac size and function. In attempting to answer these clinical questions, MRI provides major advantages several: extraordinary flexibility, powerful contrast mechanisms, sensitivity to flow and motion, and freedom from ionizing radiation, contrast agent and acoustic windows. Because of accurate initial results in quantifying cardiac chamber size, global and segmental function, it is likely that MRI methods will play an increasing role in the evaluation of cardiac structure and function. Recently, MRI has emerged as an important tool in the evaluation of great vessel disease, particularly in the evaluation of both congenital and acquired abnormalities of the aorta. Early evidence suggests that magnetic resonance may help in distinguishing constrictive pericarditis from restrictive cardiomyopathy (e.g., amyloid heart disease). Cardiac-MRI lends itself to assessment of intracardiac masses. Spin-echo imaging alone is often sufficient for diagnosis. Cine-MRI has important additive value, however, when a mass lesion shows dynamic motion, or when abnormal flow patterns in conjunction with a mass lesion require evaluation.