Assessment of Hemodynamics by Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Abstract

In recent years, remarkable technological revolutions in cMRI methods have made it possible to better ascertain patients' conditions. For example, cine MRI makes it possible to take moving images while the patient is holding their breath, has excellent time resolution, and easily and accurately evaluates cardiac function. Compared to echocardiography, it provides a superior visual overview of blood vessels and allows the user to freely obtain section images without the interference of bones, the lungs, and other structures. The use of phase contrast technique makes it possible to perform quantitative evaluation of shunt volume and all types of valvular regurgitation. An imaging technique that allows the imaging of myocardial strain has also been developed, which has further improved the ability of MRI to evaluate cardiac function and cardiac wall motion. When MRI contrast medium is used, MRI is superior to myocardial scintigraphy for the diagnosis of myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, and cardiomyopathy. Currently, cMRI is an essential tool for the evaluation of cardiac function in the field of pediatric cardiology.