Quantitative criteria for the diagnosis of the congenital absence of pericardium by cardiac magnetic resonance

•We research quantitative criteria for the diagnosis of pericardial absence.•We examine systo-diastolic whole-heart volume change (WHVC) and cardio-vertebral angle.•WHVC distinguishes perfectly pericardial agenesis from controls (cut-off >13%).•WHVC is higher in pericardial absence than hypertrophic and dilated cardiomyopathy.•WHVC is higher in pericardial absence than in right ventricular overload.