Pulmonary hypertension MRI

Pulmonary Hypertension Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Pulmonary hypertension from other Diseases
Epidemiology & Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Study of Choice
History & Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
Chest X Ray
CT
MRI
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Pulmonary hypertension MRI On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Google Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Pulmonary hypertension MRI All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Pulmonary hypertension MRI
CDC on Pulmonary hypertension MRI
Pulmonary hypertension MRI in the news
Blogs on Pulmonary hypertension MRI
Directions to Hospitals Treating Pulmonary hypertension
Risk calculators and risk factors for Pulmonary hypertension MRI

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1], Richard Channick, M.D.; Assistant Editor(s)-in-Chief: Ralph Matar

Cardiac MR

Due to the important prognostic indicators of the function of the right ventricle in patients with PAH. Cardiac MR is performed in some patients to:

1-Accurately evaluate the size, morphology and function of the right ventricle. MRI has similar abilities to those of echocardiography in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with pulmonary hypertension.

2-Detect shunts contributing to pulmonary hypertension.

3-Detect acute and chronic pulmonary thromboembolic disease.

4-Distinguish between the pulmonary vasculature and mediastinal adenopathy when used with contrast enhancement.

5-Also used for follow-up of right heart hemodynamics for follow-up purposes.

Poor right ventricular function is indicated by the following according to the ACCF/AHA 2009 Expert consensus document on pulmonary hypertension:

1. Stroke volume ≤25ml/m^2.
2. Right ventricular end-diastolic volume ≥84ml/m^2( Most appropriate marker of right ventricular failure in the follow-up.)
3. Left ventricvular end-diastolic volume ≤40ml/m^2

• MRI has similar abilities to those of echocardiography in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with pulmonary hypertension.

• Pulmonary artery stiffness measured by relative cross sectional area change ≤16% also has implications on mortality rate.

MRI Limitations include:

1- Inability to perform breath hold.

2-Claustrophobia.

3- Incompatible hardware such as neurostimulators, cochlear implants, aneurysm clips, cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators.

4- Limited availability and cost.

5- Difficulty in assessing PA pressures.