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Cardiac imaging in adults with congenital heart disease: unknowns and issues related to diagnosis
Cylen Javidan-Nejad1, Anderanik Tomasian, Elham Najafpour
1Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology, Section of Cardiothoracic Imaging, Washington University, 510 South Kingshighway Blvd., Box 8131, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA, javidanc@mir.wustl.edu.
Insights
Adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) benefit from advanced cardiac imaging. Cardiac MRI and CT aid in diagnosing anomalies, detecting complications, and planning interventions for better surgical outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Medical Imaging
- Adult Congenital Heart Disease
Background:
- Increasing number of adults with congenital heart disease (CHD) surviving into adulthood.
- Need for comprehensive imaging to manage complex cardiac conditions and surgical histories.
Purpose of the Study:
- Review the role of cardiac magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in adults with CHD.
- Discuss the utility of cardiac computed tomography (CT) as an ancillary imaging tool.
Main Methods:
- Focus on cardiac MRI for initial diagnosis, pre-treatment planning, and post-surgical follow-up.
- Highlight advancements in MRI and CT technology enhancing image quality and safety.
Main Results:
- Cardiac MRI is pivotal for diagnosing CHD anomalies and complications.
- CT serves a complementary role in evaluating adult CHD patients.
Conclusions:
- Cardiac MRI is essential for the comprehensive management of adults with CHD.
- Advanced imaging techniques improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment planning for CHD patients.
Opinion Statement:
Many adults with simple and complex congenital heart disease (CHD) survive to adulthood. The goal of imaging is to diagnose the underlying anomalies and to detect late complications of their CHD and past surgical repair, in order to assess the need for further intervention and better prepare for endovascular or open-heart surgery. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computerized tomography (CT) are increasingly utilized in this patient population, due to the technical advances made to these modalities in the past decade regarding image acquisition and reconstruction, spatial and temporal resolution, and radiation dose reduction. Here, we aim to review the role of cardiac MR in initial diagnosis, pre-treatment planning and post-surgical follow-up of adults with CHD, and to discuss the ancillary role of cardiac CT in these patients.
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