Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging for comprehensive assessment of bicuspid aortic valve: comparison with transthoracic echocardiography, dual-source CT and operative findings

Methods Seventy-three consecutive patients (49 men, mean age 51.2 years) with BAV who underwent TTE, DSCT, cardiac MRI and valve surgery were enrolled in this study. All CMR studies were performed with a 1.5 T whole-body system using an 8-element phased array surface coil. Two independent radiologists assessed the type of BAV (classified according to number of raphe), functional status of the BAV, AA diameter and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). Stenotic aortic valve area (AVA) was computed with the continuity equation on TTE and by direct planimetry on DSCT and CMR. We compared quantitative grading of aortic regurgitation (AR) by CMRI with semiquantitative grading of AR by TTE. AA diameter was measured at 4 levels from mid-systole on DSCT and CMR. LVEF by CMR (Simpson’s method) was compared with the use of TTE (M-mode method).