Assessment of myocardial systolic function by tagged magnetic resonance imaging

Tagged magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can assess myocardial function by t racking the motion of the myocardium during the various phases of the cai-c line cycle. In contrast to experimental methods, such as implantation of ra diopaque markers or sonomicrometry tagged MRI is noninvasive, carries no ri sk of radiation exposure, and can be used in the context of clinical routin e. For the physician, using tagged MRI to its fullest potential requires an understanding of the technique and the derived parameters of myocardial sy stolic function. This work describes the tagged MRI technique and explains the quantification of systolic function with respect to the underlying theo ry of the mechanics of a continuous medium. The advantages of tagged MRI in coronary artery disease are emphasized, and currently available data on ta gged MRI in coronary artery disease are reviewed.