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The initial Trinidad experience with Cine MRI in clinical cardiology
C N Thomas1, P Maharaj, S Bodapati
1Cardiopulmonary Research Unit, University of the West Indies, Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Champs Fleurs, Trinidad and Tobago. CPRU@tstt.net.tt
Insights
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Cine MRI offer valuable diagnostic insights for cardiovascular diseases in Trinidad. This noninvasive imaging enhanced cardiac and aortic evaluation in most patients, aiding clinical management.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Initial evaluation of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Cine MRI in clinical cardiology within Trinidad.
- Assessing the utility of advanced noninvasive cardiac imaging techniques.
Observation:
- Six patients with diverse cardiovascular conditions underwent Cine MRI: congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, aortic diseases, cardiomyopathy, and intracardiac mass.
- Echocardiography was performed on all patients; some also had Angiography and/or computed tomography (CT) scans.
- A Siemens Magnetom 1.0 Tesla MR system was utilized for MRI and Cine MRI procedures.
Findings:
- MRI and Cine MRI provided excellent anatomical and functional cardiac and aortic details in five out of six patients.
- Diagnoses included aortic dissection, ascending aortic aneurysm, left ventricular apical thrombus, infiltrative cardiomyopathy, and arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia.
- Technical challenges were noted in one patient with a common atrium congenital defect, though Cine MRI yielded excellent images in all others.
Implications:
- Cine MRI demonstrates significant potential as a noninvasive diagnostic tool in cardiovascular medicine.
- This technique enhances diagnostic capabilities and facilitates improved patient management for specific cardiovascular diseases.
- The findings support the integration of advanced MRI techniques into routine cardiac diagnostics in the region.
Abstract:
We describe the initial Trinidad experience with Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and Cine MRI as a diagnostic tool in clinical cardiology. Six patients from the following categories were referred for Cine MRI evaluation: congenital heart disease, valvular heart disease, aortic diseases, cardiomyopathy and intracardiac mass. All patients underwent echocardiography. MRI and Cine MRI were performed on all patients using a Siemens Magnetom 1.0 Tesla MR system at MRI Trinidad and Tobago Ltd. Selected patients underwent Angiography and/or computed tomography (CT) scanning. Clinical data and images of the six patients evaluated are described. MRI and Cine MRI provided excellent anatomical and functional details of the heart and aorta in five patients with dissection of the aorta, aneurysm of the ascending aorta, suspected left ventricular apical thrombus, infiltrative cardiomyopathy and arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. Technical difficulty was experienced with one patient who had a congenital defect (common atrium). In this study, Cine MRI provided excellent images in all but one patient. This new noninvasive technique enhanced diagnostic capabilities and facilitated management in patients with certain cardiovascular diseases.