Interventional cardiovascular magnetic resonance

Abstract

Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is increasingly replacing diagnostic cardiac catheterization as a method of assessing cardiac anatomy, measuring blood flow and quantifying ventricular function. Nevertheless, interventional cardiac catheterization is a growth area in congenital heart disease. Furthermore, diagnostic cardiac catheterization is still necessary when intra-cardiac or intra-vascular pressure measurements are necessary. Currently, X-ray fluoroscopy is the imaging modality of choice for guiding cardiac catheterization with some interventions also utilizing echocardiography. However, there are problems with this approach and the use of MR during catheterization may be able to solve them. In this chapter the role of MR in the catheterization laboratory, both for guidance and cardiac assessment, will be reviewed. By the end of this chapter the reader should have a greater understanding of the current state and future possibilities of interventional cardiac MR.