Open AccessUnderstanding the physiology of complex congenital heart disease using cardiac magnetic resonance imaging
Author(s) -
Mahesh Kappanayil,
R. Kannan,
Raman Krishna Kumar
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
annals of pediatric cardiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.292
H-Index - 19
eISSN - 0974-2069
pISSN - 0974-5149
DOI - 10.4103/0974-2069.84666
Subject(s) - hemodynamics , magnetic resonance imaging , medicine , heart disease , cardiac catheterization , cardiology , cardiac magnetic resonance , cardiac imaging , cardiac magnetic resonance imaging , disease , radiology
Complex congenital heart diseases are often associated with complex alterations in hemodynamics. Understanding these key hemodynamic changes is critical to making management decisions including surgery and postoperative management. Existing tools for imaging and hemodynamic assessment like echocardiography, computed tomography and cardiac catheterization have inherent limitations. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is emerging as a powerful bouquet of tools that allow not only excellent imaging, but also a unique insight into hemodynamics. This article introduces the reader to cardiac MRI and its utility through the clinical example of a child with a complex congenital cyanotic heart disease.