Cardiovascular molecular MR imaging

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular molecular imaging is a rapidly evolving field of research, aiming to image and quantify molecular and cellular targets in vivo. MR imaging has some inherent properties that make it very suitable for cardiovascular molecular imaging. Until now, only a limited number of studies have been published on cardiovascular molecular imaging using MR imaging. REVIEW: In the current review, MR techniques that have already shown potential are discussed. Metabolic MR imaging can be performed by (31)P-MR spectroscopy, (23)Na MR spectroscopy and (1)H-MR spectroscopy; some examples are shown. Furthermore, a concise overview is given of several aspecific and specific contrast agents for cardiovascular molecular MR imaging, such as gadolinium-based contrast agents, iron oxide MR contrast agents and fibrin-targeted MR contrast agents. CONCLUSION: We expect that in the next decade currently promising MR molecular imaging agents will be introduced into the clinical arena to guide diagnosis and therapy of cardiovascular disease.