Patent ductus arteriosus MRI


 * Associate Editor-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [mailto:psingh@perfuse.org],, Assistant Editor-In-Chief: Kristin Feeney, B.S. [mailto:kfeeney@perfuse.org]

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

Magnetic resonance imaging
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be used as a diagnostic modality in congenital heart diseases.

Advantages of using MRI are-
 * It can be used in cases where echocardiographic results are inconclusive.
 * Helps in measuring heart volumes, blood flow and ventricular wall thickness.
 * The magnetic resonance angiography helps in better visualization of heart vasculature
 * Phase velocity mapping helps in measuring the ratio of pulmonary to systemic blood flow (Qp:Qs).

Disadvantage-

For successful MRI procedure breath holding is required, which is sometimes difficult to achieve with small kids. Due to this, the procedure is done under general anesthesia in children. In patients with patent ductus arteriosus, the usage of MRI can demonstrate the abnormality and its severity. The magnitude of the shunt can also be determined by radionuclide flow studies.