[Left ventricular functional imagery by magnetic resonance. Applications and developments].

Abstract

Technical developments have considerably reduced the acquisition time and have improved the quality of magnetic resonance imaging. The recent recommendations of the European Society of Cardiology place MRI in the front line of investigations for the diagnosis and evaluation of congenital heart disease, cardiac tumours and pathology of the pericardium and great vessels. With the possibility of obtaining oblique planes in all 3 dimensions, MRI is the reference for the measurement of left ventricular mass, volumes, and ejection fraction, with the major advantage of not depending on hypotheses of left ventricular geometry. In addition to these known applications, the development of functional cardiac MRI has led to significant advances in the study of regional myocardial function and perfusion. The aim of this article is to discuss present indications and the potential developments of functional cardiac MRI, focusing on the quantitative evaluation of myocardial function and perfusion.