Magnetic Resonance Imaging Predictors of Coarctation Severity

Abstract

Background— MRI is increasingly used for anatomic assessment of aortic coarctation (CoA), but its ability to predict the transcatheter pressure gradient, considered the reference standard for hemodynamic severity, has not been studied in detail. This study evaluated the ability of MRI to distinguish between mild versus moderate and severe CoA as determined by cardiac catheterization. Methods and Results— The clinical, MRI, and catheterization data of 31 subjects referred for assessment of native or recurrent CoA were reviewed retrospectively. Patients were divided into 2 groups on the basis of peak coarctation gradient by catheterization: Conclusions— The combination of anatomic and flow data obtained by MRI provides a sensitive and specific test for predicting catheterization gradient ≥20 mm Hg.