Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging of the heart

Diagnostic imaging of the heart has, with the exception of echocardiography, employed techniques utilizing ionizing radiation. NMR imaging, a new technique, not only can generate images with spatial resolution closely approaching that of x-ray computed tomography without ionizing radiation, but can potentially detect the presence of intrinsic tissue damage. Although the exact role that NMR techniques will play in the assessment of cardiac disease is not currently defined, there are many instances where NMR may provide both unique and complementary information when compared with existing modalities.