title: Atrial shunts: presentation, investigation, and management, including recent advances in magnetic resonance imaging.
abstract: Atrial shunts are a common finding in both paediatric and adult populations. Recent developments in advanced imaging have widened the options for diagnosis and evaluation of such shunts. This paper reviews the various types of interatrial communications, discusses the features of clinical presentation in adults and children, and provides an overview of the clinical assessment including physical examination, electrocardiography, echocardiography, cardiac catheterisation, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging. Focus will be placed on recent developments in magnetic resonance imaging that may improve the non-invasive evaluation of atrial shunts.
authors.affiliation: 1 Stephenson Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging Centre, Department of Cardiology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Cheryl G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Zvaigzne
authors.affiliation: 1 Stephenson Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging Centre, Department of Cardiology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: Andrew G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Howarth
authors.affiliation: 1 Stephenson Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging Centre, Department of Cardiology, Libin Cardiovascular Institute of Alberta, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada.
authors.forename: David J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Patton
mesh_terms: D057791:Cardiac Imaging Techniques; D006344:Heart Septal Defects, Atrial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D055989:Septal Occluder Device