Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Cardiovascular System
Present State of the Art and Future Potential
- Council on Scientific Affairs Report of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging Panel;
- John R. Beljan, MD;
- George M. Bohigian, MD;
- E. Harvey Estes, Jr, MD;
- Ira R. Friedlander, MD;
- William R. Kennedy, MD;
- John H. Moxley III, MD;
- Paul S. Salva, PhD;
- William C. Scott, MD;
- Joseph H. Skom, MD;
- Richard M. Steinhilber, MD;
- Jack P. Strong, MD;
- Henry N. Wagner, Jr, MD;
- William R. Hendee, PhD;
- William T. McGivney, PhD;
- Donald Bennett, MD;
- Ira R. Friedlander, MD;
- Jack Greenberg, MD;
- Lawrence D. Jacobs, MD;
- Alexander R. Margulis, MD;
- Thomas F. Meaney, MD;
- William H. Oldendorf, MD, DSc;
- Gerald M. Pohost, MD;
- George A. Sisson, Sr, MD;
- Robert Spetzler, MD;
- Henry N. Wagner, Jr, MD;
- Robert C. Canby, MEE;
- Kathleen Davis, MD;
- Donald R. Bennett, MD, PhD
- Long Beach, Calif, Vice-Chairman; St Louis; Durham, NC; Chicago, Resident Representative; Minneapolis; Los Angeles, Chairman; Lubbock, Tex, Medical Student Representative; Tucson; Chicago; Cleveland; New Orleans; Baltimore; Chicago, Council on Scientific Affairs Liaison; Philadelphia; Buffalo, NY panel cochairman; San Francisco; Cleveland; Los Angeles; Birmingham, Ala, Panel Chairman; Chicago; Phoenix; Baltimore, Council on Scientific Affairs Member
- From the Council on Scientific Affairs, American Medical Association, Chicago.
Abstract
State-of-the-art magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) generates high-resolution images of the cardiovascular system. Conventional MRI techniques provide images in six to ten minutes per tomographic slice. New strategies have substantially improved the speed of imaging. The technology is relatively expensive, and its cost-effectiveness remains to be defined in relation to other effective, less expensive, and noninvasive technologies, such as echocardiography and nuclear medicine. The ultimate role of MRI will depend on several factors, including the development of specific applications such as (1) noninvasive angiography, especially of the coronary arteries; (2) noninvasive, highresolution assessment of regional myocardial blood flow distribution (eg, using paramagnetic contrast agents); (3) characterization of myocardial diseases using proton-relaxation property changes; and (4) evaluation of in vivo myocardial biochemistry. The three-dimensional imaging capability and the ability to image cardiovascular structures without contrast material give MRI a potential advantage over existing noninvasive diagnostic imaging techniques. This report analyzes current applications of MRI to the cardiovascular system and speculates on their future.
(JAMA 1988;259:253-259)
Footnotes
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This report was submitted to the House of Delegates at the 1986 Interim Meeting as an informational report.
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This report is not intended to be construed or to serve as a standard of medical care. Standards of medical care are determined on the basis of all of the facts and circumstances involved in an individual case and are subject to change as scientific knowledge and technology advance and patterns of practice evolve. This report reflects the views of scientific literature as of December 1986.
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Reprint requests to Council on Scientific Affairs, American Medical Association, 535 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60610 (William R. Hendee, PhD).
