Cardiac MRI of congenital heart disease : From fetus to adult

Abstract

Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an important diagnostic tool for initial diagnostic workup and follow-up of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) of different age groups. This review provides an overview of clinically applied MRI sequences for the assessment of CHD, highlights technical developments, and demonstrates key aspects of reporting in specific heart defects. Presentation of epidemiologic data, summary of studies on MRI sequences and their clinical application, and demonstration of clinical examples. The broad spectrum of congenital heart defects requires the use of various sequences, which can be modified depending on patient age or treatment status. Cine imaging can be used to assess cardiac function and volumes, phase contrast flow measurements allow for the assessment of vessel hemodynamics, and various techniques of MR angiography allow visualization of the thoracic vessels with high spatiotemporal resolution. New developments allow high-resolution vascular imaging without the need for contrast agents, assessment of additional hemodynamic parameters, or fetal cardiac MRI. Cardiac MRI can be employed in children as well as in adults with CHD. By using different sequences and considering the treatment status and surgery-related complications, the vast majority of clinical questions can be answered.