MRI OF THE PULMONARY-ARTERY AFTER ARTERIAL SWITCH OPERATION FOR TRANSPOSITION OF THE GREAT-ARTERIES

Twenty-six children who underwent an arterial switch operation for tra nsposition of the great arteries were examined with MRI and Doppler ul trasound (US). The aim was to determine the capability of MRI for dete cting a possible stenosis of the pulmonary arteries. In 10 children an giocardiography (ACG) was done after the MRI examination. Using ACG as the gold standard, MRI was sensitive in the detection of pulmonary ar tery stenosis. MRI was more precise in the localization of a stenosis than was Doppler US. Right ventricular hypertrophy was a sensitive ind icator of pulmonary artery stenosis. These results suggest that MRI co uld serve as a screening examination for pulmonary artery stenosis aft er an arterial switch operation.