The Role of Cardiac MRI in Children’s Congenital and Acquired Heart Disease

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) is a valuable and accurate modality used in the evaluation of both structure and function of the heart. As a result of significant advances in MR technologies, it is increasingly considered to be a useful non-invasive modality which is instrumental in the management of cardiovascular conditions. Ongoing technological advancements in both data acquisition and data presentation have made integration of CMR into clinical practice possible. Evaluation of congenital heart disease is an important application of cardiac MRI as the morphological details of chambers, septum, defects, and anomalous connections are depicted accurately. Additionally, flow information across valves, chambers, outflow tracts, and shunts are also provided. The combination of exquisite 3D anatomy with physiological data enables CMR to provide a unique perspective for the management of many patients with congenital heart disease (CHD). Its utility is further increased after corrective surgery during the follow up period. Imaging small children with CHD is challenging, and in this manuscript, we will review the technical adjustments, imaging protocols, and application of CMR in the pediatric setting.