Coronary Artery Disease – MRI May Detect Heart Disease

German researchers have found that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) used to examine blood flow through the heart (myocardial perfusion) can identify patients who have undiagnosed heart disease.

German researchers have found that magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) used to examine blood flow through the heart (myocardial perfusion) can identify patients who have undiagnosed heart disease.The results are based on a study of 84 patients with suspected heart disease who were referred for coronary angiography. Before angiography was performed, a cardiac MRI was performed in all of the patients. Forty-three patients (51 percent) had coronary artery disease on angiography, the researchers note. Using optimal cutoff values, MRI perfusion testing was 89 percent accurate in detecting coronary artery disease. The sensitivity improved as the number of involved vessels increased. MRI perfusion testing “May be used to screen patients with suspected coronary artery disease and avoid cardiac catheterization in patients with negative MRI,” said Dr. Eike Nagel. But, before MRI perfusion measurements can be routinely used in clinical practice, additional improvements in quantifying the data are required.(Source: M.S.W.: ZoeMed: Cardiac Life Centre: 5th August 2003)