Role of Phase Contrast Magnetic Resonance in Regurgitant Valvular Heart Diseases

Valvular heart disease is common and increases with age. In the past, valvular heart disease was typically caused by rheumatic heart disease, which remains a significant public health burden in developing countries. In industrialized nations, however, the rheumatic diseases has fallen substantially and valvular heart disease is now mainly degenerative in origin.

Valvular heart disease encompasses a number of common cardiovascular conditions that account for 10% to 20% of all cardiac surgical procedures.

Clinical examination is not a reliable guide to diagnosis or severity. This gap in the clinical valvular heart disease and the late presentation of many with severe disease emphasizes the importance of quantitative, high-quality cardiac imaging.

Imaging needs to assess: 1) valve morphology to determine the etiology and suitability for invasive intervention; 2) hemodynamic severity; 3) remodeling of the left ventricle and right ventricle; 4) involvement of the aorta and 5) the prediction of adverse cardiovascular events.

A number of imaging modalities are currently available to evaluate valvular heart disease in a comprehensive manner allowing correct assessment of both valve morphology and function. Doppler-echocardiography is the most frequently used tool for this purpose because it is cost-effective, widely available and, in the majority of the cases, provides sufficient information for clinical patient management and possible surgical planning.