Coarctation of the aorta: MR imaging.

Thirteen patients, aged 3-31 years, with coarctation of the thoracic aorta were examined by magnetic resonance (MR) imaging (total of 14 studies). Eight studies were performed preoperatively and six postoperatively. Catheterization data were available on 12 patients for verification of MR imaging findings. Electrocardiographically gated sagittal and left anterior oblique images best depicted the coarctations; however, involvement of arch vessels was best evaluated on transaxial images. MR imaging readily identified all coarctations but one, their site and extent, and involvement of the arch vessels. In addition, MR images depicted poststenotic dilatation and dilated collateral vessels. In patients studied postoperatively, restenosis could be evaluated, and complications such as postoperative aneurysm and perianastomotic hematoma were identified. MR imaging provides excellent anatomic detail of coarctation of the aorta, potentially obviating the need for angiography.