Correlation of cine MR imaging with two-dimensional pulsed Doppler echocardiography in valvular insufficiency

Eight adults with known valvular insufficiency were studied with cine magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. Our cine MR uses cardiac synchronization of a rapid small flip angle pulse sequence on a 1.5 T MR system. Eleven regurgitant lesions (including aortic, mitral, and tricuspid valves) were imaged with both cine MR and two-dimensional pulsed Doppler echocardiography (2-DPDE). In each case of significant regurgitation the jet of valvular insufficiency was easily seen as a discrete area of low signal with cine MR. Not only was the regurgitant jet identified but also its relative severity agreed well with the 2-DPDE results. In two patients the regurgitant lesions were identified on cine MR prior to 2-DPDE. In addition to the regurgitant jet, chamber enlargement and wall thickening were also well demonstrated. Cine MR is a promising modality for both the detection and semiquantification of valvular insufficiency.