Valvular disease
Valvular disease is ideally suited to evaluation with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Cine MRI is used to image the valve in multiple orientations. Stenotic or regurgitant jets show up as dark regions, where dephasing of the MR signal has occurred due to turbulent flow. The exact velocity and flow across the abnormal valve can be quantified with phase contrast imaging.
This technique is analogous to Doppler ultrasound and can be used effectively to follow the progression of lesions over time. Dark-blood techniques can be used to image the valve morphology in detail. This is particularly useful where vegetations or tumors are suspected. Finally, time-resolved MR angiography is used to depict the vasculature and can demonstrate concomitant abnormalities, if present.
Key Points
- Cine MRI is the cornerstone technique for evaluating valvular disease and can demonstrate stenosis or regurgitation in multiple orientations.
- Phase contrast is analogous to Doppler ultrasound and can quantify the velocity and flow across the abnormal valve. This is very useful for routine follow-up to assess progression of disease.
- Dark-blood techniques are used to depict the valve morphology in detail and demonstrate lesions such as vegetations or tumors
- Time-resolved MR angiography illustrates the vasculature and is particularly used for detecting concomitant abnormalities such as coarctation