Tetralogy of fallot MRI


 * Associate Editors-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [mailto:psingh@perfuse.org], Keri Shafer, M.D. [mailto:kshafer@bidmc.harvard.edu];  Assistant Editor-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [mailto:kfeeney@perfuse.org]

Overview
Magnetic resonance imaging can be helpful as a diagnostic tool in patients in whom the echocardiographic findings are inconclusive.

Advantages of MRI

 * It can be used in cases where echocardiographic results are inconclusive.
 * Assists in the measurement of heart volumes, blood flow and ventricular wall thickness.
 * Magnetic resonance angiography can better visualize the heart vasculature
 * Phase velocity mapping helps in measuring the ratio of pulmonary to systemic blood flow (Qp:Qs).

Disadvantage of MRI

 * For successful MRI procedure breath holding is required, which is sometimes difficult to achieve with small children. Due to this, the procedure may be performed under general anesthesia in children.