SummaryThe potential role of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as an unique noninvasive imaging modality in cardiovascular medicine is reviewed. The spatial resolution and anatomic detail of MRI rival or surpass those of other currently available imaging methods. MRI is well suited for the delineation of cardiovascular anatomy of the normal and abnormal heart and large vessels.Local variations in the relaxation parameters T1and T2providing the basis for the contrast of MR images, can be used to differentiate accurately normal and pathologic (e.g. ischemic) myocardial tissue. MRI also appears to be one of the most powerful noninvasive methods to quantify blood flow in vivo.Recent advances in MR technology have made it possible to increase the scope of spectroscopy to the assessment of the human cardiovascular metabolism and function in vivo.