Imaging of complex congenital heart diseases (CHDs) in children is challenging. This article reviews the complementary role of high temporal and high spatial resolution magnetic resonance (MR) angiographic imaging techniques in evaluation of a patient with complex congenital cardiovascular disease and related postsurgical complications. A 4-year-old female patient with complex CHD and multiple previous palliative surgical procedures underwent MR angiography to evaluate the cause of refractory hypoxia. High-resolution MR angiography demonstrated the complex postsurgical cardiovascular anatomy and also assisted in the evaluation of cavopulmonary shunt patency and secondary venovenous shunt formation. Time-resolved MR angiography evaluated pulmonary perfusion and demonstrated a significant pulmonary arteriovenous malformation. This information guided physicians in planning further managements, which resulted in a satisfactory clinical outcome.
Publication information
Saeed Mirsadraee, Gary M Satou, Pierangelo Renella, Aijaz Hashmi, Hillel Laks, Kevin Shannon, J. Paul Finn. Magnetic Resonance Angiography in Paced Complex Heterotaxy Syndrome with Fontan Conduit Obstruction and Veno- Venous Collateral Decompression. Congenit Heart Dis. 2013 Mar-Apr;8(2):E31-5.