Cardiovascular magnetic resonance in systemic hypertension (Journal of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance)

Systemic hypertension is a highly prevalent potentially modifiable cardiovascular risk factor.Imaging plays an important role in the diagnosis of underlying causes for hypertension, inassessing cardiovascular complications of hypertension, and in understanding thepathophysiology of the disease process. Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) providesaccurate and reproducible measures of ventricular volumes, mass, function andhaemodynamics as well as uniquely allowing tissue characterization of diffuse and focalfibrosis. In addition, CMR is well suited for exclusion of common secondary causes forhypertension. We review the current and emerging clinical and research applications of CMRin hypertension.