Certain embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for detecting septal defects. In an embodiment, the method may include acquiring gated MRI data and heart atlas data. A registration of the gated MRI data and the heart atlas data may be performed as well as a flow-balance measurement. An atrial septal detection and ventricular septal detection may be performed, as well as a septal measurement. A diagnostic report may be generated detailing the location and properties of the septal defects. A physician may utilize the diagnostic report for surgery planning. After surgery, the diagnostic report may be compared with a post-surgery diagnostic report to determine the success of the surgery.
