[Thoracic aortic coarctation: MRI evaluation and follow-up].
OBJECTIVE
Report our experience in the evaluation and follow-up of thoracic aortic coarctation with MRI and describe its role to estimate trans-stenotic flow.


METHODS
43 MR examinations were performed in 30 patients (age range 15 days to 73 years) referred to our institution in the last 7 years.


RESULTS
MRI visualized the ascending, horizontal and descending portions of the aorta and the supra-aortic vessels in 42/43 patients. MRI clearly identified preoperatively an aortic coarctation in 11/12 cases confirmed by surgery. Postoperatively MRI depicted 4 restenosis and one aneurysm. In 5 patients MRI demonstrated pseudo-coarctation. A significant correlation was established between the maximal trans-stenotic pressure gradient when measured by Doppler US or angiography and the size of the signal void measured on cine-MR images (r=0.72; p<0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
MRI is a reliable non invasive investigation method for the diagnosis and semi-quantitative evaluation of aortic coarctation particularly when colour Doppler US is not satisfactory.
Papavero
R
R
Laboratoire d'imagerie et d'ingénierie pour la santé, Université de Franche-Comté, Besançon, France. roger.papavero@ufc-chu.univ-fcomte.fr
Kastler
B
B
Clair
C
C
Litzler
J
J
Delabrousse
E
E
Livolsi
A
A
Scheneider
P
P
Site
O
O
Bernard
Y
Y
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare / Q000379:methods*; D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography / Q000592:standards; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic; D001017:Aortic Coarctation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003097:Collateral Circulation; D004452:Echocardiography / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler / Q000592:standards