MR measurement of coronary blood flow

The functional significance of coronary arterial stenosis can be evaluated by measuring the pharmacological flow reserve. Magnetic resonance (MR) imag ing has a unique potential for noninvasive measurement of coronary blood no w and now reserve in the native coronary artery and bypass graft. Restenosi s after coronary balloon angioplasty and stenting in the left anterior desc ending artery can be detected noninvasively with serial MR measurements of the coronary now reserve. Further refinement of the MR pulse sequences to i mprove spatial and temporal resolutions may permit accurate quantification of blood now volume and now reserve in all major coronary arterial branches . MR assessments of blood flow volume and now pattern allow noninvasive det ection of significant stenosis in the coronary artery bypass graft as well. By integrating MR blood now measurement in the coronary sinus and cine MR assessment of left ventricular myocardial mass, altered myocardial micro-ci rculation in patients with diffuse myocardial diseases, such as hypertrophi c cardiomyopathy and cardiac transplant, has been documented. (C) 1999 Wile y-Liss, Inc.