Peak flow velocities in the ascending aorta—real-time phasecontrast magnetic resonance imaging vs. cine magnetic resonance imaging and echocardiography

Echocardiography plays an important role in routine diagnostics of valvular heart disease (1). Its advantages are widespread availability, lack of radiation and multi-local performance. On the other hand, limitations are due to the need of a suitable acoustic window and the dependence on observer experience. Moreover, in contrast to imaging modalities such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), echocardiography does not allow for the evaluation of widespread surrounding anatomic structures