Gadolinium-enhanced three-dimensional magnetic resonance angiography of pulmonary and systemic venous anomalies

Abstract

Gadolinium-enhanced 3D MRA is capable of rapidly and accurately diagnosing a wide spectrum of pulmonary and systemic venous anomalies and is a useful noninvasive alternative to diagnostic catheterization.

Guidelines and protocols for cardiovascular magnetic resonance in children and adults with congenital heart disease: SCMR expert consensus group on congenital heart disease

“…As CHD is frequently associated with abnormalities of the chest vasculature, this technique is often employed in both pre- and post-operative CMR imaging protocols. Studies demonstrating its utility and accuracy in patients with CHD have been published for examination of the aorta and its branches, pulmonary arteries, pulmonary veins, systemic veins, aortopulmonary and venous-venous collateral vessels, systemic-to-pulmonary artery shunts, conduits, and vascular grafts [29-34]. The 3D datasets generated by MRA are well-suited to volume rendered displays which can enhance understanding of complex spatial relationships and are more comprehensible to non-CMR specialists (Figure 3).…”

The Role of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance in Pediatric Congenital Heart Disease

“…There are two conventional methods of acquiring 3D data. One uses angiographic techniques with gadolinium-based contrast agents that can be injected via any peripheral vein [31]. The other uses a 3D balanced-SSFP sequence, which is respiratory and cardiac gated, but does not require contrast [32,33].…”

Cardiovascular MRI in childhood

“…ASD location, size, relation to key neighbouring structures, its suitability for transcatheter versus surgical closure and functional assessment of haemodynamic burden including pulmonary to systemic flow ratio and right ventricular size and function can be accurately demonstrated by CMR. CMR is highly accurate for the diagnosis of anomalous venous pulmonary connections, allowing excellent visualisation of the entire course of all pulmonary veins within the mediastinum and lungs44 45 (figure 13). …”