Cardiac Imaging (CTA/MRI)

Children’s of Alabama offers advanced cardiac imaging to assist in the evaluation of congenital heart disease. Our team is composed of highly trained pediatric cardiologists and radiologists as well as dedicated radiology technicians and processing specialists.

We perform the full spectrum of cardiac MRI for congenital heart disease from infancy through adulthood. Cardiac MRI advantages include unmatched visualization of the heart, unique ability to measure blood flow and heart function, and avoidance of radiation. Conditions for which cardiac MRI is particularly useful include Tetralogy of Fallot, transposition of the great arteries, bicuspid aortic valve, Marfan syndrome, cardiomyopathy, aortic aneurysms, and congenital coronary artery anomalies, just to name a few.

Cardiac CT scanning is performed on a state of the art scanner. Superior three dimensional images can be produced for all forms of congenital heart disease. Cardiac CT scanning is particularly well suited for complex heart disease in infants, vascular rings, aortic aneurysms, and anomalies of the pulmonary arteries, pulmonary veins, or coronary arteries.

Sedation recommendations are case-dependent, based on the child and the type of imaging needed. Most of our imaging is performed without the need for sedation. When needed, sedation is provided by pediatric anesthesiologists.