Magnetic resonance imaging in clinical cardiology

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has become a well-established method for t he diagnosis of diseases of the heart and the great vessels. Almost 20 % of all patients cannot be completely examined by transthoracic echocardiograp hy. In this patient group, MRI can be used as a second line technique to pr ovide important diagnostic information not obtainable by echocardiography. However, there are clinical problems for which MRI may be used as the first line technique such as complex congenital heart disease, diseases of the g reat vessels, pericardial disease or cardiac tumors. MRI is undergoing rapi d technical improvement and this will further improve the diagnostic utilit y of the technique, especially in patients with coronary artery disease.