Abstract
Purpose: To evaluate the capability of bright-blood cine MR to directly visualize the leaflets of the valve replacement in pulmonary position following Ross operation.
Material and Methods: Long and short axis views of the pulmonary valve were obtained in 10 normal subjects and 14 patients after Ross operation. Valve morphology and function were analyzed and signal-to-noise (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratios (CNR) were calculated. Flow measurements were performed in the pulmonary trunk to assess pulmonary regurgitation.
Results: In all subjects, tricuspid morphology of the pulmonary valve was visualized. SNR of the leaflets in normal subjects (9.8 ± 3.0) and in patients after Ross operation (7.5 ± 2.2) differed significantly from blood (12.6 ± 3.2 and 11.3 ± 2.5, respectively, p < 0.05). Valvular regurgitation was seen in 5 patients as an insufficient closure of the valve which was confirmed by flow measurements.
Conclusion: Cine MR enables in-plane visualization of the pulmonary valve and allows for functional and morphological evaluation in patients after pulmonary valve surgery.
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