Comparison of ECG-Gated Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Two-Dimensional Echocardiography in the Evaluation of Patients with Congenital Heart Disease

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) has been shown to provide excellent tomographic images of congenital heart defects [1–5]. Cardiac structures are well delineated because of the sharp contrast between tissue walls and flowing blood. The technique is noninvasive, painless, and safe. Echocardiography is a widely accepted and powerful tool for evaluating patients with cardiac defects. The potential role of MRI, given the success and popularity of echocardiography, is uncertain. In this retrospective study, we compared MRI and ultrasound in the evaluation of patients with congenital heart disease.