by Karl Loren
| Commentary MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) is a powerful, non-invasive technique used to examine the body. Each type of tissue has a specific profile which is readable by the MRI machine. The technique helps doctors observe the heart's anatomy in people with complex congenital heart disease and different types of cardiomyopathies. It is also excellent for inspecting the pericardial sac surrounding the heart, and allows physicians to check for thickening and fluid build-up. MRI can also be used to assess the function of heart valves; however, because it is difficult to distinguish heart tissue from blood vessels, MRI has been limited to use in examining blood vessels and coronary arteries. For this reason, it has only been used to look at large vessels when diagnosing coronary artery disease. The new MRA technique may help refine images of tissues, making it possible in the future to diagnose coronary artery disease without an angiogram. However, angiograms will still be required to correct arterial blockages. Related Articles What is Ultrafast CT® Electron Beam Tomography?Study Compares Ultrafast CT Scan with Coronary Angiography and Ultrasound MRI Helps Identify Future Risks for Heart Attack Patients Imaging Creatine with MRS to Assess Heart Attack Damage |
(11/4/99 HeartInfo)
- Having coronary arteries examined for life-threatening blockages may be easier
and less invasive in the near future. Researchers are refining a 30-minute,
non-invasive test called three-dimensional (3-D) coronary magnetic resonance
angiography (MRA). Much like an MRI, it uses magnets to create images of
arteries, report Dr. René M. Botnar and colleagues of Beth Israel Deaconess
Medical Center in Boston, Mass.
Previously, MRA created images that were not as clear and detailed as the
researchers needed. Also, patients had to hold their breath during parts of the
procedure.
Researchers measured the ability of tiny molecular magnets to distinguish
between blood and heart tissue, allowing them to examine blood vessels. The
efforts paid off. When testing the original and the improved versions of MRA on
eight healthy adults and five coronary artery disease patients, researchers
found the changes produced high quality images without requiring patients to
hold their breath, they report in the June 22 Circulation.
The new MRA technique can also help doctors evaluate the anatomy, contractility
(heart function), and valvular function of the heart, researchers report.
If approved by the Food and Drug Administration, MRA will be used with
traditional angiography, a procedure in which dye is injected into blood vessels
in order to X-ray them. The procedure can cause infection, bleeding, and in rare
cases, heart attack and stroke.
Sources
--American Heart Association press release, June 21, 1999.
--Botnar, R.M., et al., "Improved Coronary Artery Definition With
T2-Weighted, Free-Breathing, Three-Dimensional Coronary MRA," Circulation,
Volume 99, Number 24, June 22, 1999, pgs. 3139-3148.
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