CURRENT STATUS OF MAGNETIC-RESONANCE-IMAG ING IN CONGENITAL HEART-DISEASE

Since 1987, the authors have examined 219 patients with a variety of c ongenital and acquired heart diseases by means of ECG-gated mangetic r esonance (MRI) using different techniques (spin echo, phased 2D-gradie nt echo, flowrephased 3D-gradient echo and flowrephased spin echo-Refr esh) interactively to demonstrate the pathologic state of the cardiova scular system. The patients' ages ranged from 2 days to 20 years (mean age 4.14 years). The results were compared to echocardiographic and a ngiocardiographic data in each patient. The cardiac anatomy was correc tly classified by MRI with a sensitivity of 93-100 % and a specifity o f 94-100 %. MRI proved to be superior to echocardiography and (in part ) to angiocardiography for diagnosis of the vascular status in pulmona ry atresia and anomalous pulmonary venous connection as well as in sys temic arterial malformations. MRI is particularly helpful in patients with cardiac malposition or complex congenital heart disease. The diag nosis of cardiac tumours and cardiomyopathies is also facilitated. Wit h the continuous improvement of all MR components (hard- and software) the current problems of this technique, such as its long examination time and the necessity of sedation in small children will be solved.