Coronary Artery MRA

Despite advances in prevention, diagnosis and treatment, cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in the Western world and in developing countries. Invasive X-ray coronary angiography is considered the “gold standard” for the diagnosis of significant coronary artery stenoses but exposes patients to ionizing radiation and potentially nephrotoxic contrast agents and is associated with substantial costs. Coronary magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is an emerging noninvasive imaging modality, which has already reached sufficient maturity to replace diagnostic X-ray angiography in patients with suspected congenital coronary anomalies. With continued advances in acquisition and reconstruction hardware and software, coronary MRA is expected to further mature and to be extendable to selected populations with CAD of the proximal coronary arteries.