MRI Diagnosis of Heart and Great Vessels(Clinical Usefulness of MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging))

We examined magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of cardiovascular disorders in about 500 cases over 3 years. The diagnostic values and clinical limitations are reported in this paper. Anatomical diagnosis: MRI is the most useful non-invasive examination, especially in congenital disorders of the heart with great vessel anomaly. Functional diagnosis: Using the fast scan technique (FLASH) in MRI, evaluations of valvular heart diseases and left ventricular function were almost compatible in all cases with color flow Doppler echocardiography, left ventriculography and aortography. Tissue characterization: Myocardial tissue characterization is difficult except in some cases of acute myocardial infarction and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. A high signal intensity area was observed in the myocardium of some of these disorders using spin echo techniques. By using Gd-DTPA, these findings became clearer. At present MRI, however, we can't completely understand these findings. Metabolism : Metabolism of the myocardium is not revealed through presently using MRI. But, if diffusion-weighted MRI is developed in the future, we will be able to receive images to better understand the metabolism of the myocardium