MR and CT: When to Use Each

Coronary CT angiography (CCTA) and cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) have evolved as quite useful techniques in chronic/acute coronary artery disease evaluation. The calcium score measurement quantifies coronary artery calcium and classifies the patients into low, intermediate, and high risk of major adverse coronary events. The CCTA value resides in the high accuracy to exclude the presence of coronary artery disease. CMR allows the acquisition of images throughout the body in any tomographic plane without limitations imposed by body habitus; also, it allows to characterize cardiovascular anatomy and structure, tissue composition, right and left ventricular function, and visualize and quantify myocardial perfusion along with viability. Since the acquisition is performed with cardiac gating in both methods, the left and right ventricular function can be calculated along with valvular characterization. Both techniques provide high-value anatomical/functional information that finally will impact on the patient’s treatment and survival.