Cardiovascular MR imaging includes the complete anatomical display of the heart with CINE imaging of all phases of the heartbeat. Ultrafast techniques make breath hold three-dimensional coverage of the heart in different cardiac axes feasible. Cardiac MRI provides reliable anatomical and functional assessment of the heart and evaluation of myocardial viability and coronary artery disease by a noninvasive diagnostic imaging technique.
Cardiovascular MRI offers potential advantages over radioisotopic techniques because it provides superior spatial resolution, does not use ionizing radiation, has no imaging orientations constraints and contrast resolution better than echocardiography. It also offers direct visualization and characterization of atherosclerotic plaques and diseased vessel walls and surrounding tissues in cardiovascular research.
MRI perfusion approaches measure the alteration of regional myocardial magnetic properties after the intravenous injection of contrast agents and assess the extent of injury after a myocardial infarction and the presence of myocardial viability with a technique based on late enhancement. Extracellular MRI contrast agents, like Gd-DTPA, accumulate only in irreversibly damaged myocardium after a time period of at least 10 minutes.
This type of patients may also have an implanted cardiac stent, bypass or a cardiac pacemaker and special caution should be observed on the MRI safety and the contraindications. While a number of coronary stents have been tested and reported to be MRI compatible, coronary stents must be assessed on an individual basis, with the medical team weighing the risks and benefits of the MRI procedure.

Cardiac MRI overview:

Cardiovascular MRI has become one of the most effective noninvasive imaging techniques for almost all groups of heart and vascular disease.

Cerebral (aneurysm) clips are at first contraindicated for MRI examinations unless specifically approved.
Other type of clips: Examinations may be done a few weeks after an operation. Movement of clips or staples placed in a body cavity can present a hazard, but this is often reduced due to the formation of fibrosis around the clips.

Not necessarily a contraindication, but the examination may damage or impair it. Interference in electronic cochlear implants and ferromagnetic mechanical stapedial replacements has been reported.

The magnetic memory of credit and similar cards, as well as magnetic devices such as tapes, will be erased by MR magnets.

Occult incorporated ferromagnetic foreign bodies are dangerous, in particular those close to the eyes. The patient's history may help because many patients do not remember such accidents. In case of doubt, X-rays should be taken prior to MR imaging.