Noninvasive modalities: Cardiac MR imaging

As outlined in this article, the strength of MR imaging is that it can provide flow, function, and in some cases metabolic data in a single examination, independent of patient body habitus. Future prospects for real-time imaging and in vivo mapping of fiber orientation promise further advances in our understanding of the structure-function relationship in diastole. Many of the MR imaging methods that have been developed for cardiovascular imaging are now mature and available on state-of-the-art scanners. Although MR imaging can provide detailed characterization of diastolic function, there is a paucity of clinical results which could lead to use guidelines. When more clinicians have access and become familiar with MR imaging, and the type of information that it can provide, clinical trials will be needed to establish the role of MR imaging for evaluation of diastolic function. In the meantime, MR imaging remains an excellent research tool for this application and will help yield further insights into the pathophysiology of diastolic dysfunction.