First fusion and combined evaluation of 3D-CMR perfusion with 3D-MR coronary angiography

Introduction Myocardial perfusion and the status of the coronary arteries are the two major parameters for the characterization of coronary artery disease (CAD) and for guiding therapeutical interventions. It has been shown that hybrid imaging strategies to acquire both parameters such as SPECT with CT-angiography provide an added value for clinical decision making in the treatment of CAD[1]. Thus the 2014 ESC Guidelines for the first time recommend hybrid imaging for planning myocardial revascularization[2]. However, SPECT and CT expose the patient to ionizing radiation and, in large prospective trials, SPECT showed inferior sensitivity to detect CAD when compared with CMR-perfusion[3]. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility and potential added value of MR-based hybrid imaging by the combined assessment and fusion of 3D-MR coronary angiography (MRCA) with a 3D-CMR perfusion sequence.