Objectives: To compare magnetic resonance myocardial perfusion imaging (MRI) with anatomical assessment by multislice computed tomography (MSCT) coronary angiography and conventional coronary angiography.
Design and patients: In this prospective study, 53 patients (60% male, average age 57+/-9 years, 83% intermediate pre-test likelihood) underwent 1.5 T MRI, 64-slice MSCT and conventional coronary angiography.
Main outcome measures: The presence of significant stenosis (>or=50% luminal narrowing) was determined on MSCT and conventional coronary angiography. Ischaemia on MRI was defined as a stress perfusion abnormality in the absence of delayed contrast enhancement.
Results: A significant stenosis was seen on MSCT in 15 (28%) patients, while ischaemia on MRI was seen in 19 (36%). In the 38 patients without significant stenosis on MSCT, normal perfusion was seen in 29 (76%). In patients with a significant stenosis on MSCT, ischaemia was seen in 10 (67%). In all patients without significant stenosis on MSCT and normal perfusion on MRI (n=29), significant stenosis was absent on conventional coronary angiography. All patients with both MSCT and MRI abnormal (n=10) had significant stenoses on conventional coronary angiography.
Conclusion: The anatomical and functional data obtained with MSCT and MRI are complementary for the assessment of coronary artery disease. These findings support the sequential or combined assessment of anatomy and function.