Radiofrequency Coils and Pulse Sequences for Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Applications: New Perspectives and Future Developments

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is a relevant diagnostic tool for the evaluation of cardiac morphology, function, and mass. The assessment of myocardial tissue content through the measurement of longitudinal (T1) and transversal (T2) relaxation properties and the development of different technical advances are important clinical novelties of CMR. Recently, magnetic resonance spectroscopy has been explored for the assessment of the metabolic state of tissue for cardiac function evaluation by using nuclei other than protons, such as C-13 and Na-23, expanding our knowledge of the kinetics of metabolic processes. The design and development of dedicated radiofrequency coils and pulse sequences are fundamental to maximizing signal-to-noise ratio data while achieving faster cardiac examination. This review highlights the new technical developments in CMR sequences and coils.