Recent scientific progress in the development of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques has inspired increasing interest in the noninvasive diagnosis of cardiovascular diseaseby MRI, including coronary magnetic resonance angiography (MRA). For practitioners who do not yet use cardiac MRI on a daily basis, These techniques can seem foreign and complex. Coronary Maganetic Angiography demystifies coronary MRA for the clinician, using plain language to translate physics into clinical application and bridge the distinct fields of radiology and cardiology. This book also introduces and explains complex coronary anatomy and a variety if clinical applications to the MR physicist. The most established and promising coronary MRA techniques are highlighted and reviewed to lead the novice step by step through the use of advanced coronary MRA pulse sequences and strategies.

The book is organized into three comprehensive sections — Clinical Applications, Techniques, and Alternatives — to present the following features: - Clinical applications: congenital variants, stent patency, and grafs - Future applications: lesion detection and vessel wall characterization - Techniques: first-, second- and third-generation techniques - Patient perception of techniques: breathholding versus free-breathing - Newest techniques and contrast agents for coronary MRA

Every clinician and MR physicist taking advantage of these up-and-coming techniques will find Coronary Magnetic Resonance Angiography an essential and intrusive reference.