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.