Prospective comparison of echocardiography versus cardiac magnetic resonance imaging in patients with Ebstein’s anomaly

• Published in: The International Journal of Cardiovascular Imaging Vol. 28; no. 5; pp. 1147 - 1159
• Main Authors: Attenhofer Jost, Christine H., Edmister, Whitney D., Julsrud, Paul R., Dearani, Joseph A., Savas Tepe, M., Warnes, Carole A., Scott, Christopher G., Anavekar, Nandan S., Ammash, Naser M., Connolly, Heidi M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dordrecht Springer Netherlands 01.06.2012; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Cardiac Imaging; Cardiology; Chi-Square Distribution; Ebstein Anomaly - diagnosis; Ebstein Anomaly - diagnostic imaging; Ebstein Anomaly - pathology; Ebstein Anomaly - physiopathology; Ebstein Anomaly - surgery; Echocardiography, Doppler; Echocardiography, Transesophageal; Female; Humans; Imaging; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Minnesota; Original Paper; Predictive Value of Tests; Prospective Studies; Radiology; Severity of Illness Index; Stroke Volume; Tricuspid Valve - diagnostic imaging; Tricuspid Valve - pathology; Tricuspid Valve - physiopathology; Tricuspid Valve - surgery; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency - diagnostic imaging; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency - pathology; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency - physiopathology; Ventricular Function, Left; Ventricular Function, Right; Young Adult; Echocardiography; Magnetic resonance imaging; Tricuspid valve; Ebstein’s anomaly
• ISSN: 1569-5794; 1573-0743; 1875-8312
• DOI: 10.1007/s10554-011-9923-1

Ebstein’s anomaly (EA) is primarily diagnosed by echocardiography. The purpose of this study was to compare echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in EA. Data from cardiac MRI and echocardiography were prospectively collected from 16 patients with EA. Imaging data also were compared with intraoperative findings. Information provided by MRI and echocardiography were comparable for left ventricular size and function, tricuspid valve repairability, qualitative assessment of right-sided cavities, and visibility of septal and anterior tricuspid valve leaflets. The posterior tricuspid valve leaflet and tricuspid valve fenestrations were better visualized with MRI; associated heart defects were equally recognized, apart from small shunts that tended to be more readily diagnosed with echocardiography. Quantification of right-cavity size and right ventricular ejection fraction was possible only with cardiac MRI. The degree of tricuspid valve regurgitation was underestimated by echocardiography (2 patients) and by MRI (4 patients) when compared with intraoperative assessment. When evaluating EA, echocardiography and MRI provide complementary data. For visualization of the posterior tricuspid valve leaflet and quantitative assessment of right ventricular size and function, MRI is preferable. For appropriate risk stratification in EA, both MRI and echocardiography should be performed before cardiac surgery.