MRI for acute chest pain: current state of the art

J Magn Reson Imaging. 2013 Jun;37(6):1290-300. doi: 10.1002/jmri.24173. Epub 2013 Apr 15.

Abstract

This article reviews the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and angiography (MRA) techniques, imaging findings, and evidence for evaluating patients with acute chest pain due to acute pulmonary embolus (PE), aortic dissection (AD), and myocardial infarction (MI). When computed tomographic angiography (CTA) is contraindicated, MRI and MRA are important alternative imaging modalities for diagnosis and management of patients with acute PE, AD, and MI. Familiarity with the techniques, imaging findings, and evidence is critical to safely and appropriately managing patients presenting with acute chest pain.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / complications
  • Aortic Aneurysm, Thoracic / diagnosis*
  • Aortic Dissection / complications
  • Aortic Dissection / diagnosis*
  • Chest Pain / diagnosis*
  • Chest Pain / etiology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / trends*
  • Myocardial Infarction / complications
  • Myocardial Infarction / diagnosis*
  • Pulmonary Embolism / complications
  • Pulmonary Embolism / diagnosis*