Coronary MR Provides Excellent Coronary Imaging
The Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutics conference this week included a presentation from a Stanford University School of Medicine researcher, Michael McDonnell, M.D., about various modalities employed for cardiac visualization, particularly coronary magnetic resonance (CMR). His presentation was part of the series, “The Latest Advances in Cardiovascular MRI” and was described by Health Imaging News.
His contention is that whole-heart coronary artery disease and whole-heart coronary plaque is best captured by CMR. This approach lends superior whole-heart and spatial resolution. He cites benefits of imaging with this modality; it does not employ either contrast agents or radiation. These characteristics make the modality particularly appealing for use in younger patients.
Other approaches to cardiac imaging are still effective, however, in detecting coronary aneurysms, coronary anomalies, and the patency of most bypass grafts. Differentiating between ischemic versus nonischemic cardiomyopathy (CMP) is also possible with magnetic resonance angiography (MRA).
Evidence supporting use of MRA for CMP assessment cited is from a previously completed multi-center study of coronary MRA. 109 patients with proximal coronary artery disease were recruited to undergo imaging. Data revealed 100 percent assessment rate for the combined evaluation of three-vessel and left-main disease.
Certain indications call for use of CT angiography (CTA) rather than MRA. Dr. McDonnell stated that patients with a high-calcification rate are appropriate candidates for CTA. For patients that require spatial resolution, 32-pchannel coil and parallel imaging is an excellent option. Notably, 3T MRA has a signal-to-noise ratio between 40 and 50 percent, which is an improvement.
October 26, 2007 Related topics: Imaging, Trends, Diagnostic, Radiology, Cardiology