Oleksandr Kondrachuk MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Tetyana Yalynska MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Raad Tammo MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Ievgeniia Iershova, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Nadiia Rokytska MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Illya Yemets, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To compare differential lung perfusion patterns in unoperated and repaired conotruncal heart defects.  

In total, 30 patients with conotruncal heart defects underwent cardiovascular MRI. Two groups of patients were identified. Group A patients (n=16) had unoperated conotruncal heart defects, group B patients (n=14) had repaired conotruncal abnormalities. To measure flow in the right and left pulmonary arteries, phase-contrast cine MRI was performed. The right/left lung perfusion ratio between 65:35 and 40:60 was considered normal. The MRI examinations were performed on 1.5T scanner. The Mann-Whitney U test and the Fisher’s exact test were used for statistical analysis.

Abnormal blood flow distribution to the right and left lungs was observed in 8 (50.0%) of 16 group A patients, compared with 4 (28.6%) of 14 group B patients (P = 0.28). The mean right/left lung perfusion ratio was 64:36 in group A, compared with 58:42 in group B (P = 0.44). Hypoperfusion of the left lung was detected in 10 patients (7 group A patients and 3 group B patients), hypoperfusion of the right lung was detected in 2 patients (1 group A patient and 1 group B patient).  

Although asymmetry of lung perfusion was more frequent in patients with unoperated conotruncal heart defects than in subjects with repaired conotruncal heart defects, there was no statistically significant difference between two groups. Both unoperated and repaired conotruncal heart defects have a tendency toward left lung hypoperfusion.

MRI is an excellent method for early recognition of the abnormal blood flow distribution to the right and left lungs in patients with unoperated and repaired conotruncal heart defects.  

Kondrachuk, O, Yalynska, T, Tammo, R, Iershova, I, Rokytska, N, Yemets, I, Asymmetry of Lung Perfusion is Common in Both Unoperated and Repaired Conotruncal Heart Defects: MRI Study.  Radiological Society of North America 2010 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 28 - December 3, 2010 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2010/9015020.html