Cerebral perfusion in neonates with severe congenital heart disease

We aimed to compare cerebral perfusion in neonates with severe congenital heart disease (CHD) and healthy controls using arterial spin labeling magnetic resonance imaging. Sixty-seven scans of CHD patients and 23 scans of controls were analyzed (postmenstrual age at scan 41.6±1.8 and 41.9±2.1 weeks, respectively). As in healthy neonates, cerebral perfusion in CHD patients increased with age. Whereas age-adjusted whole brain perfusion was similar to controls, redistribution of regional perfusion was detected in CHD patients. Furthermore, the presence of a systemic-to-pulmonary shunt was associated with cerebral hypoperfusion. Effects of cerebral perfusion alterations on neurodevelopment need to be further assessed.