1. To learn about cardiac valve assessment and valvular pathology using cardiac MRI and CT. 2. To be familiar with cardiac MRI techniques including phase contrast evaluation of cardiac valves. 3. To learn about cardiac CT techniques to assess cardiac valves.

Echocardiography is widely used to assess cardiac valvular function. More recently however, cardiac MRI and multi-detector CT have emerged as powerful techniques that can provide critical information regarding valvular anatomy and function. Regurgitation or stenosis is semi-quantitatively interpreted on cine gradient-echo or steady-state free precession MR images as well as on dynamic contrast enhanced cardiac CT images. Furthermore phase contrast MRI can be used to directly measure velocity and flow across cardiac valves for precise quantification of valvular regurgitation or stenosis. In patients with prosthetic cardiac valves, the assessment with echocardiography or MRI can be challenging due to artifacts produced by the prosthesis. In these cases cardiac CT often has an advantage in demonstrating prosthetic valvular function and morphology. In this exhibit, we will review these features of MRI and CT in the assessment of normal and abnormal valvular anatomy, motion and function.

E.K.F.: GE Healthcare and Siemens Medical Systems - consultant and grant support
H.K.P.: GE Healthcare grant support