[Is coronary magnetic resonance angiography already a clinically useful diagnostic tool?].

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows the evaluation of coronary arteries non-invasively and without the use of ionizing radiation. Coronary magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) is technically demanding due to the small size, tortuous course, and bulk motion of the coronary arteries as well as signal from surrounding epicardial fat and myocardium. In comparison to invasive x-ray coronary angiography not all coronary artery segments can be assessed by coronary MRA. At present the diagnostic accuracy of coronary MRA for detection of significant stenosis in coronary arteries is suboptimal. The presence of coronary anomalies and the patency of aortocoronary bypass grafts can be assessed by MRA with high diagnostic accuracy. The combination of coronary MRA with other MRI techniques for detection of ischemia has the potential to be of clinical value in the diagnostic work-up of patients with coronary artery disease.