Ultrahochfeld-MR-Tomographie in der Kardiologie: Herausforderungen, Loesungen und Chancen [Cardiovascular ultrahigh field magnetic resonance imaging: Challenges, technical solutions and opportunities]

CLINICAL/METHODICAL ISSUE: This involves high spatial resolution cardiac imaging with ultrahigh magnetic fields (7 T) and clinically acceptable image quality. STANDARD RADIOLOGICAL METHODS: Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at a field strength of 1.5 T using a spatial resolution of (2 x 2 x 6-8) mm(3). METHODICAL INNOVATIONS: Cardiac MRI at ultrahigh field strength makes use of multitransmit/receive radiofrequency (RF) technology and development of novel technology that utilizes the traits of ultrahigh field MRI. PERFORMANCE: Enhanced spatial resolution which is superior by a factor of 6-10 to what can be achieved by current clinical cardiac MRI. The relative spatial resolution (pixels per anatomical structure) comes close to what can be accomplished by current cardiac MRI in small rodents. ACHIEVEMENTS: Feasibility studies demonstrate the gain in spatial resolution at 7.0 T due to the sensitivity advantage inherent to ultrahigh magnetic fields. PRACTICAL RECOMMENDATIONS: Please stay tuned and please put further weight behind the solution of the remaining technical problems of cardiac MRI at 7.0 T.