MR and cine-MR imaging in the diagnosis of infantile congenital heart disease

Objective To assess the effectiveness of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) a nd cine magnetic resonance imaging (cine-MRI) in the diagnosis of infantile congenital heart disease. Methods A total of 34 cases were studied with MRI and cine-MRI. The data we re analyzed and compared with those of two-dimensional echocardiography (2D E), cardioangiography (CAG) and surgery. Results The size of the defect or its caliber obtained from MRI in 6 patien ts with left to right shunt congenital heart disease was compatible with th at observed in surgery (P=0.924). Comparison of cine-MRI and CAG in 28 pati ents with complicated congenital heart disease showed that the diagnosis of 27 cases by cine-MRI was the same as that by CAG. Conclusion Both MRI and cine-MRI play an important role in diagnosing infan tile congenital heart disease.