CMR assessment of right ventricular function in patients with combined pulmonary stenosis and insufficiency after correction of tetralogy of Fallot.

Background: Tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) is one of the most common types of congenital heart disease and requires prompt surgical correction. Post-correction pulmonary insufficiency (PI) often ensues in adulthood. At times, the PI is accompanied by residual pulmonary stenosis (PS).

Collateral flow measurement by phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging for the assessment of systemic venous baffle patency after atrial switch repair for transposition of the great arteries.

Purpose: We aimed to describe and compare azygos vein flow patterns of patients with obstructed and unobstructed systemic venous baffle after atrial switch repair for d-transposition of the great arteries (TGA). We hypothesized that phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging would enable characterization of retrograde collateral flow across the azygos vein in cases of systemic venous baffle obstruction.

Materials And Methods: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional study.

Usefulness of cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging to predict the need for intervention in patients with coarctation of the aorta.

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging can predict hemodynamically significant coarctation of the aorta (CoA) with a high degree of discrimination. However, the ability of CMR to predict important clinical outcomes in this patient population is unknown. Therefore, we sought to define the ability of CMR to predict the need for surgical or transcatheter intervention in patients with CoA.

Prediction of hemodynamic severity of coarctation by magnetic resonance imaging.

A published formula containing minimal aortic cross-sectional area and the flow deceleration pattern in the descending aorta obtained by cardiovascular magnetic resonance predicts significant coarctation of the aorta (CoA). However, the existing formula is complicated to use in clinical practice and has not been externally validated. Consequently, its clinical utility has been limited.

Diagnostic value of the flow profile in the distal descending aorta by phase-contrast magnetic resonance for predicting severe coarctation of the aorta.

Purpose: To compare aortic flow profiles at the level of the proximal descending (PDAo) and distal descending aorta (DDAo) in patients investigated for coarctation of the aorta (CoA), and compare their respective diagnostic value for predicting severe CoA. Diastolic flow decay in the PDAo predicts severe CoA, but flow measurements at this level are limited by flow turbulence, aliasing, and stent-related artifacts.

Materials And Methods: We studied 49 patients evaluated for CoA with phase contrast magnetic resonance imaging (PC-MRI).

Advances in imaging: the impact on the care of the adult with congenital heart disease.

Recent advances in pediatric cardiology have dramatically changed the landscape of the field of congenital heart disease. This changing field is placing new demands on imaging to plan medical management as well as identify the need for, and timing of, reintervention. There are a number of imaging modalities available to the clinician when it comes to these evaluations, including echocardiography, computed tomography, and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging; each having their strengths and unique contributions.

Transition and transfer from pediatric to adult care of young adults with complex congenital heart disease.

Many children with complex congenital heart disease are now surviving childhood with the potential to live meaningful and productive adult lives. The process of transitioning or preparing patients and families for transfer from pediatric to adult care is challenging and rarely implemented properly. An inadequate transition process results in delayed and inappropriate care, improper timing of transfer, and undue emotional and financial stress on the patients, their families, and the health care system.