Identification of Adverse Plaque Characteristics by Coronary MR Angiography

Exclusion Criteria

• •High-grade stenosis (≥50% stenosis of the left main artery or ≥70% stenosis of another proximal coronary segment);
• •Coronary artery stent in the segment with the reference plaque
• •Possible pregnancy
• •Glomerular filtration rate \<45 ml/min
• •More than 90 days between CCTA and CMRA study
• •Any significant arrhythmia (e.g. atrial fibrillation, frequent ectopy)
• •Significant asthma
• •History of 2nd or 3rd degree heart block
• •Allergy or known intolerance to beta-blockers
• •Use of phosphodiesterase inhibitor (e.g. Viagra) within the last 48 hours
• •Rapid heart rate (heart rate ≥90 beats/minute)
• •Severe aortic stenosis (Aortic valve area \<1.0 cm2 or mean gradient \>30 mmHg)
• •Systolic blood pressure \<100 mmHg
• •Other contraindication to MRI, including metallic implants (valve replacement, pacemaker, implantable cardiac defibrillator, metallic spine material), intracranial clips, metallic fragments in eyes, and claustrophobia