The pulmonary circulation: assessing pulmonary arteries and pulmonary veins

Abstract

The pulmonary arteries and pulmonary veins can be challenging to image comprehensively with echocardiography. As a result, patients with suspected pulmonary arterial or venous abnormalities are often referred for cross-sectional imaging with cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR). In addition to providing detailed anatomic information, CMR also offers important information regarding flow distribution and flow patterns within the vessel. The haemodynamic and morphological data derived from CMR are important in decision-making and provide a roadmap for planning surgical or interventional approaches. This chapter focuses on the anatomy, pathophysiology, and imaging considerations of congenital or acquired pulmonary arterial and venous abnormalities that are commonly encountered in clinical practice.