Ventricular septal defect MRI

and Leida Perez, M.D.

Associate Editor-In-Chief: Keri Shafer, M.D. [mailto:kshafer@bidmc.harvard.edu],Atif Mohammad, M.D., Priyamvada Singh, MBBS

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.