Coronary MRA: A clinical experience in the United States

Coronary MRA is an evolving technology and at the present time allows the visualization of the proximal coronary arteries. It is becoming an accepted clinical technology for the identification and definition of anomalous coronary arteries and compares favorably with other noninvasive and invasive approaches. The utility of coronary MRA for assessment of native coronary artery stenoses is still the focus of intense investigation and evolution. Several competing approaches have been described and are being evaluated for diagnosis of CAD in native coronary arteries, and coronary bypass grafts. Technical and methodological improvements and a more educated application of our knowledge regarding cardiac and respiratory physiology will allow for improved spatial resolution and ultimately better visualization of the coronary arteries. Multicenter trials are currently under way to investigate the clinical utility of several imaging strategies. As a clinical tool, coronary MRA will have to prove that it is fast, robust, and easily accepted by patients and physicians.