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High Blood Pressure

Cardiac MRI results

08/27/2007

Question:

Could you help me interpret the following results:

IMPRESSION: 1. Trileaflet pulmonic valve. 2. Normal caliber pulmonary arteries with turbulent flow and minimally increased pressure in the pulmonic outflow tract. 3. Minimally dilated right ventricle with prominent trabeculation.

Answer:

The pulmonic valve is located between the right ventricle and the pulmonary arteries.  Although the diameter of the pulmonary arteries is normal, the blood flow is somewhat impaired.

There is increased pressure in the right ventricle, causing some dilatation and trabeculation.  Trabeculation is an increase in the right ventricular muscle mass.

These findings are consistent with some degree of pulmonary hypertension.  The cause of the elevated pulmonary artery pressure has to be determined.  You need an evaluation by a cardiologist and possibly a right heart catheterization to measure the pulmonary artery pressure. 

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Response by:

Max C Reif, MD Max C Reif, MD
Professor of Medicine
Director of Hypertension Section
College of Medicine
University of Cincinnati