Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has emerged as a valuable non-invasive
diagnostic tool in congenital heart malformations providing anatomical and functional
data regardless of patient’s size and quality of thoracic window. This technique is
particularly indicated to avoid cardiac catheterization in post-surgical adult patients in
whom the echocardiographic window is often poor. MRI is able to provide both
accurate 3-dimensional images of the cardiovascular system as well as precisely
quantify volumes and mass of the cardiac chambers and functional data of any single
segment of the heart. MRI is now considered a Class I indication in pediatric or adult
patients with congenital heart malformations. It is able to define morphological data of
cardiac malformation and its functional consequences at the same time. This paper
summarizes the most relevant technical aspects of MRI in congenital heart disease and
reports on useful protocols to evaluate the most common malformations.
Keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging, congenital heart disease, morphological
assessment, right ventricle, ventricular function, aortic coarctation, pulmonary
branch stenosis, septal defect, single ventricle, tetralogy of Fallot.
