Imaging the Right Heart-Pulmonary Circulation Unit The Role of MRI and Computed Tomography

The different components of the right heart-pulmonary circulation unit can be investigated by MRI and computed tomography. MRI has clear advantages over echocardiography for accurate definition of the function and structure of the right side of the heart and to derive functional information regarding the pulmonary vasculature. Computed tomography is superior for the assessment of parenchymal and vascular pathologies of the lung with indications in the diagnostic workup of pulmonary hypertension, but with more limited capability to evaluate right ventricular function and in deriving pulmonary hemodynamics. Recent technical developments with these imaging modalities could allow a better evaluation of the right heart-pulmonary circulation unit.